“Abuja Trembles: Kanu’s Verdict and Sowore’s Cybercrime Drama Crash Into Same Courtroom”
By Passman Akpos
Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja is set for a day of heightened national attention as two separate but politically charged cases converge in what activists describe as a defining moment for Nigeria’s justice system.
Supporters of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, gathered again on Thursday, insisting that today’s court ruling could either “rewrite or repeat” Nigeria’s troubled history. Kanu faces terrorism-related charges tied to his long-standing agitation for a separate homeland for the South East — allegations he has consistently denied.
For many observers, the outcome of the ruling will be a litmus test for judicial independence amid widespread calls for his release under the trending hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.
Adding to the charged atmosphere, pro-democracy activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is also in court the same day, facing a cybercrime-related charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of businessman and politician Senator Ned Nwoko. Sowore described the parallel proceedings as a “twist of fate,” arguing that both cases represent deeper systemic issues within Nigeria’s justice system.
Sowore’s case stems from a 2021 incident involving Nwoko and online vendor Jaruma. He claims his intervention in the matter made him a target, alleging that the police have repeatedly attempted to arraign him under a section of the Cybercrime Act that has since been repealed. Nwoko has maintained that Sowore’s reporting amounted to cyberbullying — an assertion the activist firmly disputes.
Reflecting on the gravity of today’s proceedings, Sowore stated that Kanu’s case “goes far beyond expectations that a court in Abuja will suddenly deliver justice,” insisting that only fairness and conscience can restore public trust.
Two weeks earlier, Sowore led a protest demanding Kanu’s release, an action that resulted in his detention for three nights at Kuje Prison. Despite that setback, he remains defiant, describing the call for Kanu’s freedom as “inevitable.”
As the Federal High Court prepares to deliver a potentially historic ruling, Abuja remains on alert, with civil society groups, legal observers, and citizens watching closely to see whether today marks a turning point — or a repetition — in Nigeria’s long struggle for justice and equity.
