Court ruling Free Nnamdi Kanu Now protest
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has rejected an application by the Nigeria Police Force seeking to restrain a planned nationwide protest tagged “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now”, organised by groups calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who delivered the ruling on Monday, held that peaceful protest is a constitutionally guaranteed right and that the police cannot, through an ex parte motion, stop citizens from exercising that right in a democratic society.
Police sought to prevent mass action
The police had approached the court with an urgent application, arguing that the protest could lead to a breakdown of law and order, particularly in parts of the South-East where IPOB enjoys strong support.
The force, represented by its counsel, Simon Lough (SAN), also claimed that intelligence reports indicated possible infiltration of the protest by violent groups.
However, the judge disagreed, stressing that the right to peaceful assembly cannot be denied based on speculative security concerns.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right to peaceful protest. Unless there is credible evidence of imminent violence, the state cannot suppress such rights,” Justice Egwuatu ruled.
Organisers react to ruling
Reacting to the judgment, the spokesperson of the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now Movement, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, described the ruling as “a victory for democracy and civil liberty.”
“This decision shows that Nigeria’s judiciary still has courageous judges who uphold constitutional freedoms. We will ensure the protest remains peaceful and focused on justice,” Ejiofor said.
He added that the protest aims to draw attention to what he called the “continued unlawful detention” of Nnamdi Kanu despite several court rulings ordering his release.
Background on the case
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, has been in detention since his arrest and repatriation to Nigeria in 2021.
He faces multiple charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement. Despite rulings from the Court of Appeal ordering his release, the Federal Government has maintained that his case has national security implications.
Civil rights groups commend ruling
Human rights organisations, including SERAP and Amnesty International Nigeria, have welcomed the court’s decision, urging the police to respect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.
SERAP, in a statement, noted that the ruling reaffirms the constitutional principle that security concerns must never override fundamental rights without credible evidence of threat.
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