The Ultimate Guide to the Nnamdi Kanu Trial, Protests & Nigeria’s Shrinking Civic Space

Last Updated: October, 2025 | Written by Blizine

Key Takeaways

• The recent #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja led by activist Omoyele Sowore resulted in the city being grounded, mass arrests, and the use of tear gas by security forces.
• The Federal High Court recently dismissed Nnamdi Kanu’s ‘no-case submission’ and ordered him to enter his defense, marking a critical turning point in the prolonged Nnamdi Kanu trial.
• The incident highlights the growing tension between citizens’ right to protest (enshrined in the Constitution) and the government’s use of court orders and excessive force to maintain order, a pattern noted in 2024 Human Rights Reports.

Table of Contents

1. The Day Abuja Was Grounded: Anatomy of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest

The Day Abuja Was Grounded: Anatomy of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest

On Monday, October 20, 2025, economic activities in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, were severely disrupted by a major protest demanding the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The demonstration, orchestrated by the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement led by activist Omoyele Sowore, quickly descended into chaos. We’ve found that the scale of the police response caused significant gridlock, preventing countless workers and commuters from accessing the city center.

Security agencies, including the police and DSS, preemptively barricaded all major access routes leading to the Three Arms Zone and the Aso Villa presidential complex as early as 6:00 AM. In my experience, such a massive deployment signals the government’s determination to prevent any breach of sensitive areas, even if it paralyzes the city. The face-off intensified in the Maitama area, near the NCC headquarters, where protesters, including Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, gathered. Security forces deployed tear gas and, reportedly, fired gunshots to disperse the crowd, causing a widespread stampede.

The disruption extended beyond the FCT, with reports confirming that Igbo businesses in cities like Akure, Ondo State, were shut down in solidarity with the protest’s core message. Unfortunately, the crackdown also involved the assault and arrest of journalists covering the event, leading to condemnation from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). This particular action raises serious questions about press freedom, which we cover in greater detail in our analysis of political events on our Blizine platform.

The Critical Legal Update: Court Dismisses ‘No-Case’ Submission

The timing of the protests is no coincidence, coming on the heels of a monumental judicial decision in the long-running Nnamdi Kanu trial. Just weeks earlier, in late September 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a critical ruling on the terrorism charges against the IPOB leader. The court dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission, a plea by the defense arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him.

This judgment means the trial will proceed, with Justice James Omotosho ordering Nnamdi Kanu to enter his defense against the charges of treasonable felony and terrorism. This ruling effectively nullifies the relief sought by the defense and puts the onus entirely on Kanu’s legal team to present a defense strategy that can counter the prosecution’s evidence. It is the latest judicial twist in a saga that began with Kanu’s initial arrest in 2015, his subsequent bail, and his controversial rendition from Kenya in 2021.

This crucial legal step sets the stage for a new phase of the Nnamdi Kanu trial, one where the defense must now present evidence in court, rather than focusing on jurisdictional or preliminary arguments. The full details of the Federal High Court ruling are available via authoritative legal commentary, highlighting the prosecution’s success in satisfying the court’s minimum evidentiary requirements. Furthermore, the court also rejected Kanu’s request for transfer to the National Hospital, instead directing the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to evaluate his health in custody.

Freedom of Assembly Under Fire: Security Forces & The Use of Force

The forceful dispersal of the Abuja protesters is part of a wider trend in Nigeria concerning the right to protest. Security agencies defended their use of tear gas, citing a subsisting court order that restricts demonstrations near sensitive government buildings like Aso Villa, the National Assembly, and the Force Headquarters. However, human rights experts argue that while restrictions can apply to location, the violent manner of dispersal and the indiscriminate use of force often violate constitutional guarantees.

The 2024 Human Rights Report on Nigeria highlights a disturbing trend of shrinking civic space, with journalists, activists, and citizens engaging in peaceful protests facing intimidation and violence. We, at Blizine, believe in the importance of protecting this fundamental right. For instance, Amnesty International, in response to the crackdown, released a statement condemning the suppression of the peaceful demonstration as an “unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent.”

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has consistently advised that citizens do not require police permits to hold peaceful protests; rather, notification is merely for facilitation and security. The consistent resort to excessive force, as seen during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest and similar movements, contradicts the core tenets of democracy and the principles of necessity and proportionality outlined in international human rights treaties.

The Ethics of Advocacy: Lawyers, Politics, and Sub Judice

A significant fallout of the protest was the involvement and subsequent arrest of Nnamdi Kanu’s lead Special Counsel, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor. Presidential aides publicly criticized the lawyer’s participation, arguing that his role in a demonstration seeking to influence the judicial process was a clear violation of professional legal ethics. This argument is centered on the principle of sub judice, which restricts public comments or actions that could prejudice an ongoing judicial proceeding.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called for legal regulatory bodies to sanction Ejimakor, stating that a strong defense team should focus on the courtroom, not the streets. However, the legal community remains divided. Some argue that an activist lawyer has a right to join a peaceful protest, especially when it concerns human rights, while others believe that the conduct undermined the integrity of the Nnamdi Kanu trial itself.

In our continuous effort to explain complex legal issues, we recognize that the line between advocacy and activism is often blurred, particularly in high-profile political cases. The demand for the immediate release of the arrested lawyer, Kanu’s brother (Fineboy Kanu), and other protesters, led by Sowore, further inflamed the standoff with the FCT Police Command. We encourage you to visit our main page for more resources on understanding complex legal issues within Nigerian law.

The Road Ahead: What Kanu’s Defense and Supporters Face

With the court dismissing the ‘no-case submission,’ the next phase of the Nnamdi Kanu trial will be intense. The defense must now prepare to present its case, potentially calling witnesses to counter the prosecution’s claims of terrorism and treasonable felony. This means the focus shifts from the political arena, where the protest took place, back to the meticulous details of courtroom procedure.

For Kanu’s supporters and the broader IPOB movement, the Abuja crackdown serves as a stark warning about the government’s low tolerance for civil disobedience around the separatist leader. Despite the arrests and tear-gassing, activists like Omoyele Sowore have vowed to continue the protests until Nnamdi Kanu is released, underscoring the deep commitment to the Biafra cause. The situation remains volatile, balancing between judicial process, political agitation, and security enforcement. The Blizine’s mission is to keep you informed through every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Nnamdi Kanu currently being charged with?

Nnamdi Kanu is currently facing trial on several counts of treasonable felony and terrorism-related offenses. These charges stem from his separatist campaign and alleged broadcasts for the independence of the Republic of Biafra, which the Nigerian government has proscribed.

Why did the court order Nnamdi Kanu to open his defense?

The Federal High Court ordered Kanu to open his defense after dismissing his ‘no-case submission,’ determining that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case. This means the court believes the prosecution’s evidence, if unchallenged, could lead to a conviction, thereby requiring the defense to mount a challenge.

Is the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) considered a terrorist group in Nigeria?

Yes, the Nigerian government officially proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and labeled it a terrorist organization in 2017. This proscription remains a central point of legal and political contention in the ongoing Nnamdi Kanu trial and his campaign for Biafra independence.