Police Deny Seeking Court Order to Halt #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest, Reaffirm Citizens’ Right to Peaceful Assembly

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports alleging that it approached the court to stop the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, insisting that it fully respects citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful demonstration.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hudeyin, made this clarification on Sunday following media claims that the police filed a suit to restrain the protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025. Hudeyin stated that the police never sought any court injunction against the organisers, describing such reports as inaccurate.

This comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly declined a purported bid by the police to stop the protest, ruling that it could proceed as planned. Protest convener, Omoyele Sowore, had earlier celebrated the decision as a victory for civil liberties, alleging that Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, dispatched police lawyers to file the suit.

Reacting via his official X handle, Hudeyin reaffirmed that Nigerians have the inalienable right to protest peacefully and cautioned against spreading misleading reports. He further clarified that the case in question was never adjourned as claimed, describing the narrative as “one-sided and lacking in investigative depth.”

Hudeyin’s statement seeks to set the record straight as public attention heightens around the nationwide demonstrations calling for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.