Court adjourns police case against Sowore, #FreeNnamdiKanu protesters to Nov 5

The absence of the presiding judge stalled proceedings in the suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) against the conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest at the federal high court in Abuja.

According to NAN, Mohammed Umar, the presiding judge in charge of the suit, was said to have to be sitting in the Enugu division of the court.

The case, which was listed on Wednesday’s cause list, has now been rescheduled for November 5 for the hearing of the motion on notice.

The police had approached the court seeking an order to restrain Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, and others from staging a protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in parts of Abuja on October 20.

On October 17, the judge granted an interim order barring Sowore and other respondents — including Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters’ Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and unnamed individuals or groups — from holding demonstrations in what the police described as “sensitive areas” within the federal capital.

The affected locations include Aso Rock, the national assembly complex, force headquarters, court of appeal complex, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari way.

The interim injunction was to remain in force pending the hearing of the substantive motion on notice.

Although the matter was earlier scheduled for October 20, the hearing did not take place, and the protest went ahead in parts of the city.

The matter was subsequently moved to October 29 and has now been shifted again due to the judge’s absence.

BACKGROUND

During the protest on October 20, police officers shot teargas canisters at protesters and commuters at some areas in Abuja.

The police arrested 13 protesters, who were subsequently remanded by a magistrate court for alleged incitement of public peace.

Among those remanded was Aloy Ejimakor, one of the disengaged counsel of Kanu.

On October 23, Sowore was arrested by police shortly after leaving the premises of the federal high court in Abuja.

The activist was arrested for leading protesters into “restricted areas” in Abuja.

On October 24, Sowore and the other protesters were granted bail by the court.

On Monday, Sowore and the other protesters were released after meeting their bail conditions.