The Integrity Youth Alliance has called on African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his associates to comply with the restraining order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja, barring any protest or demonstration around Aso Rock Villa and other sensitive national locations.
The order, granted by Honourable Justice M. G. Umar, prohibits protests around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. The directive remains in force pending the determination of a motion on notice before the court.
According to the Alliance, the ruling followed a suit filed to forestall potential disruption of public peace and national security in connection with the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest slated for Monday, October 20, 2025.
“IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following Areas: Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari way pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
2. The Court hereby abridged the time within which the Respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause this ex parte Order to be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025, at 9.00 am.
3. The Order of this Court, together with the Motion on Notice, be served on the Respondents today, Friday, the 17th day of October, 2025.
4. Case adjourned to 20th October, 2025, for hearing of the Motion on Notice.
ISSUED AT ABUJA under the Hand of the Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice M. G. Umar, and the Seal of the Court, this 17th day of October, 2025.
ORDER ON FRN v. OMOYELE SOWORE & 4 ORS. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025
The group dismissed Sowore’s claim that no court had stopped the protest, insisting that “a valid and subsisting order” from the Federal High Court is in effect. The Alliance warned that any defiance of the order would amount to contempt of court and could attract serious legal consequences.
“No individual or group is above the law,” said Comrade Kelvin Adegbenga, National Coordinator of the Integrity Youth Alliance. “The Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest, but that right does not extend to disobedience of lawful court orders or actions capable of threatening public peace.”
The Alliance further emphasised that the case involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is already before a competent court, and any attempt to use protests to pressure or intimidate the judiciary is both reckless and counterproductive.
The statement concluded with a warning that Sowore would be held personally accountable for any breakdown of law and order arising from attempts to defy the court’s directive.
The Integrity Youth Alliance reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order, and the sanctity of the judiciary as the bedrock of Nigeria’s democracy.
Attached is the court order:
