Connect with us

Legal Affairs

#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Court backs Sowore, others for peaceful protest near Aso Rock, National Assembly, and key Abuja zones

Published

on

Share this:

(DDM) – In a landmark ruling that has stirred public debate, the Federal High Court in Abuja has upheld the constitutional right of citizens, including human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to stage peaceful protests across designated areas in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including near the Aso Rock Presidential Villa and the National Assembly complex.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the ruling followed an earlier ex-parte motion filed by the Federal Government seeking to restrict the protest planned by Sowore and other civic groups under the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign.

The planned demonstration aims to pressure authorities to release the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite multiple court orders granting him bail.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who presided over the matter, clarified that the right to peaceful assembly remains protected under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provided such gatherings do not endanger public safety or national security.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, had been brought before the court by police counsel Wisdom Madaki, acting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), seeking to prohibit demonstrations near critical state institutions such as Aso Rock, the Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

However, in his latest directive, Justice Umar held that while the government may regulate protests to ensure public order, it cannot outrightly ban them, especially when protesters have pledged to conduct themselves peacefully.

READ ALSO:  #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary: Supreme Court had ruled cases must be handled on merit, not killed on technicalities

The court’s decision was hailed by civil rights advocates as a victory for democracy and civic freedom, reaffirming that protest is a legitimate form of political expression in any democratic society.

A copy of the certified court ruling, obtained by DDM, indicated that protesters could proceed with their planned demonstrations under the condition that they maintain peace and comply with security advisories.

According to the order, the police were directed to provide protection and coordination rather than suppression of the march.

Sowore, who doubles as convener of the Take It Back Movement (TIB), had earlier described the protest as a non-violent call for justice, urging Nigerians to stand up against prolonged detentions and disregard for judicial rulings.

He said the campaign’s purpose was not only to demand Kanu’s freedom but also to draw attention to human rights violations and political intolerance in Nigeria.

The protest, initially scheduled for Monday, is expected to feature hundreds of participants, including youth groups, lawyers, and civil society activists demanding Kanu’s release.

Sowore had earlier stated that “no democracy can thrive where citizens are afraid to speak or assemble peacefully,” calling on the government to honour its legal obligations.

Observers note that the case adds a new legal dimension to the intensifying national and international calls for the Nigerian government to resolve Kanu’s detention through a political solution rather than prolonged litigation.

Legal analysts told DDM that the court’s clarification represents a major reaffirmation of civil liberties, coming at a time when civic spaces across Nigeria face increasing restrictions.

The next hearing has been set for Monday, October 20, 2025, where both parties are expected to argue the scope of permissible protest zones within Abuja.

READ ALSO:  SPECIAL REPORT: EFCC, ICPC hapless as FBI unravel cybercrimes, jail Nigerians

As anticipation builds, rights advocates have described the ruling as a bold reminder that freedom of expression and assembly remain cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy, not privileges to be granted at will by the state.

Meanwhile, the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign continues to gather momentum both locally and abroad, amplifying calls for an end to what supporters describe as an “unjust and politically motivated detention.”

 

Share this:

Legal Affairs

PHOTO: Kanu in Supreme Court, submits appeal against Nov 20 ruling

Published

on

Nnamdi Kanu
Share this:

The embattled leader of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared at the Supreme Court earlier today, to personally deliver a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, requesting the discontinuation of his ongoing terrorism trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu cited the use of a repealed law as the basis for his appeal.

Accompanied by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), this move marks a last-minute effort to stop the judgment slated for November 20.

This follows Kanu’s recent application filed at the Court of Appeal, where he requested a stay of proceedings in his trial before Justice James Omotosho.

In the motion, he urged the appellate court to suspend the judgment pending the resolution of his appeal, arguing that his trial is being conducted under a law that no longer exists.

Share this:
Continue Reading

Legal Affairs

Why I regret dragging PDP to court — Sule Lamido

Published

on

Sule Lamido PDP Coalition 2027
Share this:

Former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido said he’s truly sad that he had to drag the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Federal High Court in Abuja after being barred from the party’s 2025 national convention.

Lamido, who served two terms as governor (2007–2015) and was once foreign affairs minister, recalled his long‑standing relationship with the PDP, noting that he built the party “with sweat and soul.”

He said he went to the party secretariat on 27 October to buy the national‑chairmanship nomination form, but officials refused to sell it to him. That denial pushed him to file an ex‑parte motion on 31 October, asking the court to restrain the PDP from holding the convention until his complaint was heard.

Justice Peter Lifu granted a restraining order, stopping the PDP’s convention (scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan) and barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising it.

The judge found the PDP had failed to publish the convention timetable to members as required by law and that Lamido’s exclusion would cause him “greater harm.”

The court also ordered the PDP to pay damages if the suit was later deemed frivolous.

Speaking after the ruling, Lamido lamented: “If my party lost, I also lose. I feel like crying, taking this path. When we fight as brothers, the trust is lost, the bond of brotherhood is also lost.”

He added that he still supports the opposition’s unity under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but will never leave the PDP.

The case was adjourned for judgment on 13 November 2025.

READ ALSO:  FG drags Stella Oduah to court over alleged felony, document falsification

 

Share this:
Continue Reading

Legal Affairs

Nnamdi Kanu Moves To Stop Court From Ruling On Terrorism Charges

Published

on

Share this:

(DDM) — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to halt plans to deliver judgment in the ongoing terrorism case brought against him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Kanu’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ifeanyi Ejiofor, filed the motion seeking to restrain the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, from proceeding with the judgment pending the outcome of other related appeals currently before the Supreme Court.

According to the defense team, going ahead with the judgment would amount to a breach of Kanu’s constitutional rights, particularly as several issues concerning the legality of his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 remain unresolved.

The motion, DDM learned, argues that the Federal Government acted unlawfully by continuing to prosecute Kanu despite the Court of Appeal’s 2022 ruling, which discharged and acquitted him of all terrorism-related allegations, citing procedural violations by the state.

Kanu’s lawyers insisted that the Supreme Court’s yet-to-be-delivered judgment in the government’s appeal against that decision must first be determined before any new ruling at the High Court level.

They also contended that any attempt to proceed with the terrorism judgment could prejudice Kanu’s right to fair hearing and amount to judicial overreach.

Sources close to the defense revealed that Kanu’s legal strategy is to ensure that the matter is not determined twice on overlapping issues, which could create confusion in the judicial process.

READ ALSO:  FG drags Stella Oduah to court over alleged felony, document falsification

The Federal Government, however, is expected to oppose the motion, arguing that the High Court retains jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter pending any directive from the apex court.

DDM recalls that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 after he was forcibly returned to Nigeria from Kenya in an operation widely condemned by international human rights organisations.

His detention has since sparked widespread agitation across the South-East region, with IPOB members and civil rights groups demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

Observers say this latest motion marks another chapter in Kanu’s long-running legal battle with the Nigerian state, one that has tested the boundaries of both national security and constitutional justice.

Analysts also note that the outcome of the case will have significant political and social implications, particularly as the South-East continues to grapple with economic disruptions, insecurity, and separatist tensions linked to IPOB activities.

Kanu’s supporters have maintained that his prosecution is politically motivated, while the government insists that he must face the law for allegedly inciting violence, broadcasting falsehoods, and promoting secessionist activities.

The court is expected to announce a new date for the hearing of Kanu’s motion, which will determine whether Justice Nyako can proceed with the planned judgment.

As of press time, neither the Federal Ministry of Justice nor the DSS had issued an official statement on the latest development.

Share this:
Continue Reading

Latest from DDM TV

LATEST NEWS

JUST IN: 44 Federal Lawmakers Ask Tinubu to Order Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

It is time to let Nyesom Wike go

BREAKING: 7 killed as militants calling for Kanu’s release bomb security checkpoint

UK Moves to Impose Visa Bans on African Countries

BREAKING: Wike-led PDP faction expels Makinde, Bode George, others

China Issues Travel Warning on Japan as Taiwan Dispute Boils Over

Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Hit $46bn – CBN

US Congressman Reacts to Abduction of 25 Girls in Kebbi

Subscribe to DDM Newsletter for Latest News

Trending

Copyright © 2023 -2024 Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) www.diasporadigitalmedia.com. All Rights Reserved . NOTE: All opinion articles published on Diaspora Digital Media are ENTIRELY those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publishers.

Get Notifications from DDM News Yes please No thanks