Court stops police from banning “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” march requested by top cop Egbetokun
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A federal court has rejected an emergency request by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to ban the “Free Nnamdi KanuNow” march on October 20 being convened by activist Omoyele Sowore.
The protest has the support of some prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar now running for President in 2027.
Egbetokun on Friday dispatched police lawyers to the Federal High Court, Abuja to move an ex-parte motion against Sowore – with whom he has another grouse in court – to legally preempt the demonstration scheduled for Aso Rock, the residence and office of Bola Tinubu, who has the presidential power to negotiate Kanu’s release out of court.
Judge S. Umar declined to grant the motion, which would have immediately restrained the protest from taking place without hearing Sowore’s side through his lawyers.
The Judge instead instructed the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until October 21 for a proper, contested hearing.
Sowore affirmed the court’s decision as a victory for civil liberties and doubled down on the planned protest in a statement on X.
He wrote: “IG of PoliceNG Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.
“However, the judge, Justice Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.”
#FreeNnamdiKanuNow is intended to draw attention to the prolonged detention and legal fate of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in detention since former President Muhammadu Buhari illegally abducted him from Kenya in 2021.
The move by Egbetokun is seen by critics as an attempt to leverage the courts to prevent a potentially sensitive gathering near the seat of Nigerian power.
Regardless, the planned protest is currently not constrained by a court order, setting the stage for a potential high-profile confrontation between protesters and security agencies around the Villa.
The outcome of the hearing on Tuesday will determine the next legal steps on the legality of the protest.
Sowore earlier announced the protest would be a “historic” march to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of Kanu.
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