A magistrate court in Abuja has granted bail to prominent human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, along with Aloy Ejimakor, one of the legal representatives for Nnamdi Kanu, and eleven other defendants. This decision comes after their arrest in connection with the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest held in Abuja, which sparked debate over civil protest rights in Nigeria.

Omoyele Sowore was apprehended by police on Thursday, October 23, shortly after his appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning Nnamdi Kanu. His arrest was attributed to leading the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest into “restricted areas” within the city center. Sowore, a former presidential candidate and political activist, questioned the lack of a formal invitation and insisted on having his lawyer present during his apprehension, which occurred as he was taken away in a police van.

The protest itself took place on Monday, October 20, leading to the arrest of twelve other individuals, including Aloy Ejimakor and Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu. The other defendants named include Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu. They were arrested at various locations during the demonstration and subsequently remanded at Kuje Prison on Tuesday, facing charges that ranged from “inciting public disturbance” to “unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.”

Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’I, presiding over the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja, granted bail to all thirteen defendants. Each defendant was required to pay a bail sum of N500,000. Additionally, the court imposed strict conditions for their release: all defendants must provide verified National Identification Numbers (NINs), submit three-year tax clearance certificates, and surrender their passports. This development unfolds amid heightened national attention on the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement and ongoing discussions regarding the scope of civil liberties and protest rights within Nigeria.