Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother, Lawyer to remain in Prison as Police stall Bail Hearing. The bail hearing for the lawyer to detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel “Fineboy” Kanu, was on Wednesday stalled at the Kuje Magistrate Court following the failure of the Nigeria Police Force to appear or file a counter affidavit. The matter, which came up before Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’I’d, was expected to determine the bail request filed on behalf of the two men and another person arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja earlier this week. However, proceedings could not go on as planned after the police failed to file their response to the bail motion or attend the session. It was gathered that Barrister Maxwell Opara, counsel to the defendants, approached the court registrar to inquire about the delay, only to be informed that the motion for bail was not listed for hearing. Magistrate Sai’I’d, who had previously assured that the application would be given prompt attention once the police were properly served, stated that his hands were tied due to the procedural lapses caused by the police’s absence and failure to respond. According to court sources, the police initially evaded service of the bail motion before eventually acknowledging receipt. The Magistrate had at the last sitting directed that the process be fast-tracked to ensure fairness to the accused persons, who have been in detention since their arrest. Ejimakor, a well-known legal representative for Nnamdi Kanu, and Fineboy Kanu, were arrested alongside others during a peaceful protest in Abuja demanding the release of the IPOB leader, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021. The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was reportedly disrupted by security operatives, leading to several arrests.

Court remands Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother, Ejimakor, others in Kuje Prison. A magistrate court sitting in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has ordered the remand of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, alongside his legal counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor. Their remand followed their participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which took place on Monday in Abuja. Confirming the development, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Kanuta Kanu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the court session on Tuesday, described the action as a “conspiracy among the executive, legislature, and judiciary to frustrate Kanu’s trial scheduled for Thursday.” According to court documents shared by former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the police arraigned Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others on charges bordering on incitement and breach of public peace. The charge sheet alleged that the accused persons violated a court order by staging a protest that disrupted public movement, obstructed traffic, and chanted songs calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu. The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had earlier disclosed on a live television programme that those arrested during the protest would face prosecution after investigation. Both Ejimakor and Kanu’s brother have now been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

#FreeNnamdiKanu: APC Came To Power Through Protests, Now Scared Of Protests – Wabara Fumes. Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has called for the immediate release of all protesters arrested in Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration in Abuja. Speaking via a statement on Tuesday, Wabara condemned the action of some security operatives who fired teargas canisters at peaceful protesters. He urged President Bola Tinubu to call the security operatives to order, describing the intimidation and arrest of peaceful protesters as “a serious dent on Nigeria’s global image.” The elder statesman also frowned at the alleged manhandling of a journalist covering the protest whose camera was reportedly broken by some overzealous security operatives. According to the former Senate President, the arrest of Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor; among others, will only aggravate the already tensed situation in the South East. Senator Wabara who argued that “it is the fundamental right of citizens to hold peaceful protest”, said the police are required to provide protection for protesters, and not to clamp down on them. Citing the ongoing ‘No King Protest’ involving about 7 million people in the United States of America, “where there are no incidents of molestation or brutality”, Senator Wabara challenged the Nigeria security operatives to learn from their US counterparts. The former Senate President accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC-led, federal government which he said, “is a product of protests”, of using intimidation and brute force against dissenting voices.

Protesters Defy Court Order, Vow to Storm Presidential Villa. According to report by Punch on Monday, October 20, 2025, tensions are mounting in Abuja as security forces prepare for a possible confrontation with #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters, who plan to march to the Presidential Villa today (Monday) to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This comes despite an interim injunction by the Federal High Court in Abuja restricting demonstrations near sensitive government areas, including Aso Rock, the National Assembly, and Force Headquarters. The organisers, led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and the Take It Back Movement, have vowed to proceed with what they describe as a peaceful protest, both in Abuja and across the South-East. Damilare Adenola, the group’s Director of Mobilisation, maintained that the march is a constitutional right and a stand against the government’s “illegal and inhumane” actions. Kanu remains in detention facing charges of terrorism, treason, and incitement. His 2021 re-arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria continue to spark legal and political debates. While critics view his detention as politically motivated, the government insists it is lawful prosecution. The protest’s timing, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations, has heightened government anxiety. Organisers, however, insist that they have informed the police and expect them to provide security rather than clamp down on protesters. Over 115 lawyers, medical staff, and journalists have been mobilised nationwide to support the march. The movement has received broad political support, with opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi backing calls for Kanu’s release and urging dialogue instead of repression.

U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert Ahead of #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest in Abuja. The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security advisory to its citizens ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, in the Federal Capital Territory. In a statement released on Friday, the Embassy warned that the demonstration could cause disruptions, roadblocks, and possible violence. It urged Americans in Abuja to avoid protest zones and limit movement across the city. “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that the ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest is expected to take place on Monday, October 20th, 2025. There may be traffic congestion, road closures, and potential confrontations between protesters and police near Eagle Square and the Central Business District,” the statement read. The embassy also advised residents to take extra precautions, recommending that children stay home from school and domestic workers who travel from outside Abuja not report to work that day. The alert follows the announcement by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who disclosed on October 9 via X (formerly Twitter) that the peaceful protest would be held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Sowore described the planned demonstration as a “historic” call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu has been in custody since June 2021 after his controversial extradition from Kenya and is currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Sowore: No Court Order Stopping #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest. Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has denied reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest set to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025. In a post on his X handle, Sowore said there is no court order stopping Nigerians from protesting peacefully. He accused the police and some media outlets of spreading false information to discourage people from joining the rally. According to him, the court did not grant any order to ban the protest. Instead, Justice Umar refused a police request to stop it, saying the case should first be heard properly before any decision is made. Sowore wrote: “The Federal High Court in Abuja has not stopped the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. The so-called ‘court order’ being circulated was secretly obtained by police lawyers and has not even been served on anyone. It only mentioned that protesters should avoid places like Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.” He added that the protest will still go ahead, saying the movement is “unstoppable.” “The protest date is sacrosanct; the movement is unstoppable,” he declared. The Federal High Court in Abuja recently rejected a police bid to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. Justice Umar ruled that the police must first serve the defendants before any hearing, thereby allowing the planned rally to proceed. Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing trial has also recorded fresh developments. A court-appointed medical panel recently confirmed that the detained IPOB leader is fit to stand trial, with the matter adjourned to October 23 for the commencement of his defense and October 30 set as the deadline to close it.

Court Rejects Police’s Bid To Stop ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ Protest. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled against the Nigeria Police Force’s request to prevent the “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest, allowing the demonstration to go ahead as planned on Monday, October 20, 2025. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched lawyers to file an ex parte motion to stop Omoyele Sowore, the protest organiser and activist, from holding the demonstration near Aso Rock Villa, the seat of Nigeria’s government. However, Justice Umar of the Federal High Court refused to grant the motion, which sought to immediately halt the protest without hearing Sowore’s side of the argument. Instead, the judge directed the police to serve Sowore with formal notice of their application and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing. In response to the court’s decision, Omoyele Sowore called it a victory for civil liberties and reaffirmed his commitment to going ahead with the protest. In a statement posted on his 𝕏 handle (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Sowore said, “IG of PoliceNG Kayode Egbetokun dispatched police lawyers to sue me, in an effort to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday. However, the judge, Justice Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, refused to grant the ex parte motion, instead instructing him to serve me notice and adjourning the case until Tuesday for a proper hearing.” The protest, organized under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is intended to draw attention to the prolonged detention and legal fate of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The police’s attempt to halt the protest using the courts was seen as an effort to prevent what could be a highly sensitive demonstration near Nigeria’s seat of power.

"Tinubu Government Detained Nnamdi Kanu For Years But Pardoned Drug Dealers, Criminals, Terrorists" – Sowore Addresses #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protesters In Abuja

We have received reports that @OfficialDSSNG in a state of desperation, is attempting to intimidate and harass market leaders in Abuja, where we have been mobilizing since yesterday, in preparation for the planned action on Monday, October 20, to Free Nnamdi Kanu Now. We assure Nigerian citizens, who are working tirelessly, that they should not be swayed by the DSS desperation, and they should rest assured that nothing can stop the planned action and that nothing will happen to anyone. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow ~YeleSowore

Today, our nationwide mobilization took us to Dei Dei Market in Abuja, where we loudly and clearly expressed that it is time to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. #MNKOct20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow

Nigerian Students Union NANS Begins Mass Mobilisation For October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest. In an official statement signed by its National President, Comrade Atiku Isah, and dated October 13, 2025, the students body said the coordinated protest, themed “Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, would take place on Monday, October 20, 2025, with students from all geopolitical zones mobilising to Abuja. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In an official statement signed by its National President, Comrade Atiku Isah, and dated October 13, 2025, the students body said the coordinated protest, themed “Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, would take place on Monday, October 20, 2025, with students from all geopolitical zones mobilising to Abuja. According to the statement, the decision followed resolutions reached at the NANS executive meeting presided over by the president himself. “Following the resolution reached at the recent executive meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the leadership of NANS hereby calls on all Nigerian students to participate in the ‘Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ nationwide protest scheduled to hold on Monday, 20th October, 2025,” the statement read. To ensure effective coordination and a united front, NANS explained that students from across the country would first assemble at designated convergence points within their respective geopolitical zones before proceeding en masse to Abuja for the nationwide demonstration. In the South West, students are expected to gather in Ekiti State, while those from the South East will converge in Enugu. The South-South zone will meet in Edo State, just as students from the North East are to assemble in Bauchi State. Their counterparts from the North West will gather in Kano State, while those in the North Central zone will converge in Lokoja, Kogi State, before the collective movement to the Federal Capital Territory. The association disclosed that ten buses have been allocated to each zone to facilitate transportation of protesters, adding that logistics and other arrangements would be handled through Students’ Union Government (SUG) Presidents in the respective states and campuses. “This mobilisation is part of the collective demand for justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability,” Isah declared. “As students, we affirm that freedom is achieved through struggle, and we remain committed to peaceful advocacy for what is right.” The planned demonstration marks a national alignment by NANS on a politically sensitive issue, as Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention by the Nigerian government has remained a flashpoint of agitation, especially across the South East.

Presidency Issues Warning Over Planned Protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release. The Presidency has issued a stern warning to rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, over his plan to lead a protest in Abuja demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, had announced that the march tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow would hold on October 20 at 7 a.m. He described it as a “historic” rally aimed at compelling the government to free Kanu. Reacting to the development, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga accused Sowore of trying to create chaos under the disguise of activism. Writing on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, Onanuga said, “You are nothing more than an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist. You very well know that Nnamdi Kanu is facing trial for treason, and yet you want to cause a breakdown of law and order by mobilising for a protest. Is this the kind of revolution you envisage for Nigeria, where the rule of law will be violated and your idea of justice would be the law of the jungle?” The presidential spokesman also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for supporting the planned protest, describing his position as reckless and unbecoming of a statesman. According to him, issues before the court cannot be settled through street actions. He further stated that although the legal process may seem slow, the administration is committed to ensuring justice through the right channels. “While the wheel of justice can sometimes be grindingly slow, partly caused by Kanu’s lawyers, Nnamdi Kanu will eventually get the justice he deserves for his alleged transgressions,” Onanuga added. Sowore, known for his bold activism, has since maintained that the demonstration would proceed as planned. He urged Nigerians to join him in demanding fairness for the detained IPOB leader.