The Federal High Court in Abuja has rescheduled the hearing of the suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force against Omoyele Sowore and other conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
The hearing will now take place on November 5, the court announced on Wednesday.
The matter was originally scheduled as number 11 on Wednesday’s cause list, but the court adjourned it following disruptions caused by protesters during previous proceedings. The adjournment ensures that the court has the opportunity to properly hear the arguments of all parties involved.
Earlier, the hearing was fixed for October 20 to allow respondents to show cause why the interim order issued by Justice Mohammed Umar should not be vacated. However, protests that day disrupted court activities, preventing the matter from proceeding as planned.
The interim order bars the protesters from sensitive areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and the Court of Appeal, among others, pending the full hearing of the case. The order was issued to maintain public order and safeguard key government locations.
In an affidavit supporting the ex parte motion, a police officer stated that if the order was not granted, the protest could threaten national security. The affidavit emphasized the need for preventive measures to avoid possible disruptions in the capital.
Respondents listed in the police motion include Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement, and several unknown individuals. The case continues to draw national attention as authorities seek to balance security concerns with citizens’ rights to protest.