Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest: Ejimakor, Sowore, Kanu’s Brother, 11 Others Return to Court
Special counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, says he will appear before the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Monday alongside activist Omoyele Sowore, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and 11 other defendants over their alleged participation in the October 2025 #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.
Ejimakor announced the scheduled court appearance in a post on his X account on Sunday, saying the proceedings would test the scope of Nigerians’ constitutional right to peaceful protest.
“Tomorrow, I will appear in court with Sowore, Prince Kanu, Barr. Okere and 11 others for trial over the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest of October 2025,” he wrote.
He added that the case was bigger than the individuals standing trial.
“This case is not about us. It is about the constitutional right of the citizen to protest. The Constitution, not fear, should decide,” Ejimakor said.
Defendants Face Charges Over October 2025 Protest
The defendants are being prosecuted at the Kuje Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in demonstrations held in Abuja on October 20, 2025, during which protesters called for Kanu’s release.
Police charged Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi and other defendants with offences including criminal conspiracy, disobedience to a public servant, inciting disturbance and disturbance of public peace.
The arrests followed demonstrations at different locations in Abuja on October 20, 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the police alleged that the defendants participated in activities involving “inciting disturbance” and “breach of public Peace” in defiance of a court order.
The prosecution also alleged that the protesters obstructed the movement of other citizens and disrupted traffic while chanting songs and demanding Kanu’s release during his then pending trial at the Federal High Court.
The police further alleged that the conduct posed a threat to national security.
Another defendant, Chima Onuchukwu, was separately accused of carrying a placard bearing the words “Free Nnamdi Kanu” and allegedly inciting disturbance.
The allegations remain subject to determination by the court.
Defendants Were Initially Remanded
Following their arrests, the defendants were initially detained at the SARS Abattoir facility in Abuja before being brought before the Kuje Magistrate Court.
Prince Emmanuel Kanu and Ejimakor were subsequently remanded in October 2025 as the case proceeded.
The matter returned to court on June 5, 2026, but the prosecution reportedly failed to appear.
Ejimakor said the defence subsequently asked the court to strike out or dismiss the charges on the basis that the prosecution had failed to prosecute the case.
The court, however, granted the prosecution another opportunity to appear and adjourned the proceedings until July 31.
Defence Insists Protest Was Constitutional
Ejimakor has consistently maintained that the defendants were being prosecuted for exercising their constitutional rights.
“We are standing strong in defence of freedom, in defence of the right of the citizen to freely express himself, and in defence of the right of the citizen to protest to the government of the day,” he previously said.
“We believe that when the hammer comes down, when the gavel comes down, justice will be served and that justice will be ours.”
Sowore has also disputed the basis for the arrests, alleging that the demonstration was peaceful and focused on demanding Kanu’s release.
The prosecution’s case, however, centres on allegations that the protesters violated public order restrictions and engaged in conduct that authorities considered capable of disrupting public peace and security.
Kanu’s Case Adds Context to Protest Trial
The protest case is taking place against the backdrop of the wider legal battle involving Kanu.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025 after being convicted on terrorism related charges.
Justice James Omotosho ruled that Kanu’s broadcasts and directives constituted acts of terrorism, incitement and threats to national security.
Kanu pleaded not guilty to the charges during the trial.
The Monday proceedings will therefore place renewed attention on the legal boundaries between political protest, public-order restrictions and the constitutional right to freedom of expression and assembly.
For the defendants and their lawyers, the case is fundamentally about the right to protest. For the prosecution, the central issue is whether the October 2025 activities crossed the legal threshold into criminal conduct.
The court is expected to hear the parties as proceedings resume.
