Fresh Twist in Alleged Coup Plot: Families of Detained Officers Claim Torture, Demand Open Trial

Families of military officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have raised alarm over what they describe as torture, intimidation, and denial of fundamental rights, calling for a transparent and fair trial.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the families said they were not attempting to interfere with the legal process but were concerned that the rights of their loved ones may have been violated during their nine-month detention.
Representing the families, Aishatu Yesufu alleged that the detained officers had been subjected to trauma, humiliation, and oppression since their arrest.
“We love our country and respect the military and its laws, but we are deeply worried about our loved ones. We believe the truth is being suppressed and the narrative controlled,” she said.
The families claimed that both they and the officers’ legal representatives were denied access to the detainees for more than 180 days despite repeated requests. They also alleged that some of the officers had developed serious health complications, including vision and respiratory problems, due to the conditions of their detention.
According to them, the officers were denied access to lawyers or family members while statements were being obtained, while concerns were also raised over the use of restraints during court-martial proceedings.
“We are not saying our relatives are innocent of every allegation. That is for the court to decide. However, we believe the process has not been fair, open, or transparent,” Yesufu stated.
The families questioned why legal representatives were allegedly excluded from key stages of the investigation and why visitation was restricted if the detainees were receiving proper treatment.
They called on military authorities to open the proceedings to the public and media, allow independent medical examinations of the detainees, and permit international human rights observers to monitor the trial.
The relatives also appealed to the international community to closely watch developments in the case, stressing that their demand was for accountability and fairness rather than interference.
“Our families are suffering. We watch our children cry for their fathers and mothers. We have already lost so much,” they said.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who also addressed journalists, appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that the rule of law is upheld throughout the legal process.
He noted that while he had advised the families against making statements capable of prejudicing the trial, the concerns they raised deserved attention.
“As President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a responsibility to ensure that no citizen is placed above or beneath the law,” Adeyanju said.
The lawyer emphasized that Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy where every citizen, including those facing criminal allegations, is entitled to dignity, fair treatment, and due process.
He urged the President to direct relevant authorities to investigate the allegations, particularly those concerning the detainees’ welfare and health, warning that failure to address such issues could weaken public confidence in the justice system.
“Nobody is saying whether the defendants are innocent or guilty. We are only saying that they should be treated like human beings,” he added.