A massive security gridlock across Abuja on Monday, October 20, not only shut down key city arteries but also stalled court proceedings in the suit by the police against Omoyele Sowore and the conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
Persecondnews reports that court activities at the Federal High Courts in Abuja came to a complete halt, with courtrooms locked by 9:30am and no judges and lawyers present.
The unprecedented security effort saw heavy deployments—including water cannons—around major junctions like the Nicon Hilton/Shehu Shagari Way intersection, NITEL Junction, the Federal Secretariat, and routes leading to the Presidential Villa.
Movement was completely restricted for both vehicles and pedestrians in these areas, with police using teargas to enforce the blockades.
Persecondnews had earlier reported that Justice Mohammed Umar had, on Friday, October 17, fixed today, Monday, October 20, for the respondents in the ex parte motion filed by the police, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN), to show cause why the interim order made by the court should be vacated.
Justice Umar had restrained Omoyele Sowore, the 1st respondent, and others from protesting in some sensitive areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa, today for the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The judge also barred the protesters from anywhere close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Others named in the interim order include Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), for the Transformation of Nigeria or any form of organization or any other person(s) acting either express or implied instruction or any other organization or group with the like intention; and unknown persons as 2nd to 5th respondents respectively.
The judge had granted the ex parte motion moved by the police lawyer, Mr. Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the federal government on Friday.
The judge also made an order of abridgement of time “within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause the ex parte order to be set aside on Monday, October 20, at 9.00am.”
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the case until October 20 for hearing of the motion on notice.
The ex parte motion was marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025.
In the affidavit in support of the ex parte motion deposed to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the officer averred that if not granted, the protest might threaten national security.
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