Families Of Detained Coup Suspects Level Allegations Against Nigerian Army, Make Demands

Families of military officers facing trial over an alleged coup plot have raised concerns over the health and welfare of their detained relatives.

Naijaonpoint reports that the relatives, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Friday, alleged that some of the officers were suffering from injuries, deteriorating eyesight and respiratory complications after months in detention.

They appealed to the Federal Government and military authorities to ensure transparency in the ongoing court-martial proceedings and allow independent medical examinations of the accused officers.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Aisha Yusuf said the officers and their relatives had endured emotional trauma and uncertainty since their arrest about nine months ago.

“We are family members, wives, and children of detained officers accused of a coup plot. We are not politicians. We are not anarchists. We are only law-abiding citizens compelled to speak out.

“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,” she said.

Yusuf alleged that access to the detained officers remained restricted, with relatives and lawyers allowed only one visit per week.

She also claimed that the officers were denied legal or family representatives during statement-taking and had not been given complete medical reports.

“They have not been given full medical reports, even though some of them have visible injuries. Many are losing their eyesight and having lung issues due to their long stay in underground facilities and no ventilation,” she alleged.

The families accused the military authorities of subjecting the officers to degrading treatment during court appearances.

“They are being leg- and hand-chained in Court Martial, in an open desecration of their human rights and dignity. These are officers who are being humiliated so brazenly and openly that one can only imagine what happens behind the scenes.

“We are not here to say our relatives are innocent of every charge. That is for the court to decide. But we are saying that the process has not been fair and open,” Yusuf added.

They called for the proceedings to be opened to the media, the public and international human rights observers.

Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, wife of Lt. Col. M.A. Al-Makura, alleged that many of the officers were suffering health complications.

“Of course, it’s most of them who are seriously affected. In fact, even the army recommended glasses for them to use,” she said.

Also speaking, Aisha Nana Usman, wife of Lt. Col. Sadiq Mohammed, said the officers had been denied basic rights since their arrest.

“Their fundamental human rights were denied. Ours was also denied. We made several appeals for us to see them or even hear from them before they are charged. And it took them so long before they granted our request,” she stated.

Usman alleged that the officers remained in handcuffs and leg restraints during feeding and court appearances.

She said, “Up till now, all of them are still in cuffs. Their hands and legs are still in cuffs. I don’t know why they are being treated like they are not humans.

“These are officers who put their lives on the line to save the country. They deserve to be treated better and fairly.”

Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the rights of the detained officers were protected.

“My own appeal goes directly to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, that as the leader of the nation and father of the nation, he has a responsibility to ensure that no citizen of the country is put beneath or above the law,” he said.

He said the accused officers remained innocent until proven guilty.

“These people are still presumed to be innocent under the law. The issues that the family have raised, Mr President should direct the authorities to look into them,” Adeyanju said.

He also called for independent medical attention for the detainees.