Family members of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have raised concerns over the treatment of their loved ones, calling for transparency and adherence to due process in the ongoing proceedings.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday the families said they were not politicians or seeking to undermine the authorities, but were speaking out as concerned citizens who believe their relatives’ rights may have been violated.
A woman, Aishatu Yesufu who spoke on behalf of the families said since the detention of their relatives nine months ago, they and their loved ones had experienced what they described as torture, oppression, trauma, humiliation, and intimidation.
“We love our country. We respect the military and its laws. But we are deeply afraid for our loved ones. We are speaking now because we believe the truth is being suppressed and the narrative is being controlled,” she said.
Aishatu claimed that they and the officers’ lawyers were denied access to the detainees for more than 180 days despite repeated appeals.
The families also alleged that they had not been provided with complete medical reports, adding that some of the detained officers were suffering from health challenges, including alleged vision and respiratory problems, due to their prolonged detention conditions.
They further claimed that the officers were denied access to legal or family representatives during statement-taking, and expressed concern over what they described as the use of restraints during court martial proceedings.
According to her “We are not here to declare that our relatives are innocent of every allegation. That is for the court to determine. However, we are saying that the process has not been fair, open, or transparent,”
The families questioned why lawyers or family representatives were allegedly absent during key stages of the investigation, why visitation was restricted if the detainees were being treated properly, and why the proceedings were not fully open to the public and media.
The families demanded that the military authorities allow international human rights observers to monitor the trial, make the proceedings accessible to the public and media, and permit independent medical doctors to examine the detained officers.
They also urged the international community to closely monitor the case, stressing that their call was not for interference but for accountability and fairness.
“Our families are suffering. We cannot sleep. We watch our children cry for their fathers and mothers. We have already lost so much,” they said.
The families said they believe in the rule of law and urged the authorities to present all relevant evidence, insisting that justice should be judged not only by the final verdict but also by the fairness of the process.
They added that they have documents, photographs, and witnesses they are willing to provide to journalists, urging the media to report the matter objectively.
Also speaking at the event a human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to ensure that the rule of law and citizens’ rights are upheld throughout the legal process.
The lawyer disclosed that he had advised the families not to make comments that could prejudice the ongoing trial, adding that he would endeavour to be present during their engagements to guide them and prevent statements that could affect the proceedings.
“My appeal goes directly to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that as the leader and father of the nation, he has a responsibility to ensure that no citizen is placed beneath the law or above the law,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria is operating under a democratic and constitutional government, not a military regime, and that respect for the rule of law must remain paramount.
According to him, the concerns raised by the families deserve attention, noting that every citizen, including those facing criminal allegations, is entitled to fair treatment under the law.
He referenced the Supreme Court decision in Bello v. State, where the apex court held that even a person convicted of a crime and sentenced to death still retains rights, especially where legal processes, such as appeals, remain pending.
“How much more people are presumed innocent under the law? These citizens should be treated with dignity and respect. They have rights as citizens,” he said.
The lawyer urged the President to direct the relevant authorities to investigate the allegations raised by the families, particularly concerns about the welfare and health conditions of the detained officers.
He appealed for the detainees to have access to proper medical attention, including allowing the families to provide medical professionals where necessary to build confidence in the process.
He warned that failure to address such concerns could undermine citizens’ confidence in the justice system and the country’s democratic institutions.
“Nobody is saying whether the defendants are innocent or guilty. We are only saying that they should be treated like human beings,” he added.
