Court Shut Down as #FreeNnamdiKanu Hearing Fails to Hold in Abuja

Court proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja came to a standstill on Monday during the scheduled hearing of the police case against Omoyele Sowore and other organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

The session, which was fixed for 9:00 a.m., could not hold as all courtrooms in the multi-storey building housing about 13 courts remained locked. Only a few court workers, lawyers, and private guards were seen around the premises, while no judge was in sight.

Heavy security presence was observed in several parts of Abuja, including Gana Street, Shehu Shagari Way, Nicon Hilton area, Federal Secretariat, National Assembly junction, and roads leading to the Presidential Villa.

Police trucks, water cannons, and barricades were positioned in strategic locations, while movement of vehicles and pedestrians was restricted. In some areas, security operatives fired tear gas to disperse people attempting to pass through blocked routes.

The case stems from an ex parte motion filed by the police, representing the Federal Republic of Nigeria, seeking to restrain Sowore and others from protesting near sensitive areas in Abuja such as the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, and Force Headquarters. The motion was granted last Friday by Justice Mohammed Umar, who ordered the respondents to appear on Monday to explain why the interim order should not continue.

Among those listed in the police suit are Sahara Reporters Limited, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement, and other unidentified individuals or groups allegedly involved in organising the demonstration.The police, through an affidavit filed by one of its officers, argued that allowing the protest could pose a threat to public safety and national security.

The planned protest, led by Sowore, aimed to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in detention over charges related to terrorism at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

However, Monday’s sitting did not hold, leaving the matter unresolved and further delaying the court’s decision on the ongoing police suit.