Court activities paralysed, movement restricted, tear-gas fired at Nnamdi Kanu protesters in Abuja
Court activities at the Federal High Court in Abuja were completely paralysed on Monday as security operatives fired tear gas to disperse supporters of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who had gathered for a solidarity protest, causing chaos and restricting movement in the nation’s capital.
As early as 9:30 a.m., all entrances to the high-rise court complex housing no fewer than 13 courtrooms were under lock and key, with no judges in sight. Only a handful of court workers, lawyers, and litigants were seen within the deserted premises.
The heightened security presence extended beyond the court area, with heavy deployments and water cannons stationed at key intersections, including Gana Street and Shehu Shagari Way by NICON Hilton Hotel, NITEL Junction in Wuse 2, the Federal Secretariat, and routes leading to the Presidential Villa in Asokoro.
Vehicular movement was restricted, and pedestrians were barred from accessing several adjoining streets. Eyewitnesses reported that police fired tear gas at intervals to disperse clusters of protesters demanding Kanu’s release.
The tension coincided with the scheduled hearing of a suit filed by the Nigeria Police Force against activist Omoyele Sowore and other conveners of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. The matter, however, could not proceed due to the lockdown of the court.
Justice Mohammed Umar had, on Friday, issued an interim order restraining Sowore and others from protesting near sensitive government areas, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The judge granted the order following an ex-parte application filed by police counsel Wisdom Madaki on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The respondents were directed to appear on Monday to show cause why the interim injunction should not be vacated.
The police, in their affidavit, argued that allowing the protest to hold could threaten national security. Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), had mobilised for what he described as a peaceful rally to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged terrorism before Justice James Omotosho of the same court.
Monday’s events, however, left court operations grounded and the city centre heavily militarised, underscoring the growing tension surrounding Kanu’s continued detention.
