Families Of Detained Officers Accused Of Coup Plot Raise Alarm Over Alleged Torture, Demand Transparent Trial

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Family members of military officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have raised concerns over the treatment of their loved ones, calling for transparency, fairness, and strict adherence to due process in the ongoing proceedings.

The families, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Friday, said they were not politicians or seeking to undermine the authorities, but were speaking out as concerned citizens who believe the rights of their relatives may have been violated.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Aishatu Yusuf alleged that since the detention of the officers nine months ago, they and their loved ones had experienced what she 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 alleged that the families and lawyers representing the detained officers were denied access to them for more than 180 days despite repeated appeals.

She further claimed that the families had not been provided with complete medical reports, alleging that some of the officers were experiencing health challenges, including vision and respiratory problems, due to the conditions of their detention.

The families also alleged 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.

“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,” Yesufu said.
The families questioned why lawyers or relatives were allegedly absent during key stages of the investigation, why visitation was restricted if the detainees were being properly treated, and why the proceedings were not fully accessible to the public and media.

They called on military authorities to allow international human rights observers to monitor the trial, make the proceedings open to the public and media, and permit independent medical doctors to examine the detained officers.

The families also urged the international community to monitor the case, stressing that their appeal 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.

They maintained that they believe in the rule of law and urged the authorities to present all relevant evidence, insisting that justice should be measured not only by the final judgment but also by the fairness of the process.

The families 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, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that citizens’ rights and the rule of law are upheld throughout the legal process.

Adeyanju said he had advised the families against making comments that could prejudice the ongoing trial, adding that he would endeavour to be present during their engagements to guide them and prevent statements capable of affecting 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 system, 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 cited 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 retains certain rights where legal processes, including appeals, remain pending.

“How much more people who are presumed innocent under the law? These citizens should be treated with dignity and respect. They have rights as citizens,” he said.
Adeyanju urged the President to direct relevant authorities to investigate the allegations raised by the families, particularly concerns about the welfare and health conditions of the detained officers.

He also appealed for the detainees to receive proper medical attention, including allowing families to provide medical professionals where necessary to build confidence in the process.

He warned that failure to address the allegations could undermine public confidence in the justice system and 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.