Families of military officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of Bola Tinubu have appealed to the president to ensure the suspects are tried in an open court, insisting that justice must be done transparently and in line with the constitution.
The appeal was made on Friday during a press conference in Abuja where wives, mothers and other relatives of the detained officers said their loved ones had been held for more than 160 days without being brought before a court.
The families also requested access to the detained officers, saying they have been unable to see them since their arrest.
The briefing was attended by Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, and Deji Adeyanju, human rights lawyer who both expressed concern over the prolonged detention.
The controversy surrounding the detained officers dates back to January 2025 when the Defence Headquarters confirmed that an alleged coup plot to overthrow the government had been uncovered.
At the time, Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, said investigations conducted in line with military procedures had identified certain personnel linked to the alleged plan.
He explained that those implicated would face trial before relevant military judicial panels.
The issue resurfaced in October 2025 when the federal government abruptly cancelled the parade scheduled to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1.
Speculation quickly emerged that the cancellation was connected to the alleged coup attempt, but the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claim, maintaining that the decision had no link to the investigation.
Later that month, reports indicated that 16 military officers were arrested during the first week of October in connection with the alleged plot, while two others were said to be on the run.
Speaking on behalf of the families at the press conference, Memuna Bashiru said the continued detention of the officers without trial had plunged their families into months of fear, uncertainty and emotional distress.
“We stand before you as families, wives, mothers and relatives whose husbands and brothers have been in detention for over 160 days without being brought before an open court of law.
“For more than five months, our families have lived with uncertainty, fear and unanswered questions”, Bashiru said.
She said the families were not demanding special treatment but were only seeking that the suspects be tried openly in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
“Today we are here for one simple reason, to ask that justice be done openly and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
According to her, the prolonged detention has been painful for families who have watched their loved ones face public scrutiny without the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
“We have watched helplessly as narratives are presented to the public, subjecting our husbands to a media trial,” she added.
Bashiru also alleged that some family members had experienced intimidation from security personnel since the arrests were made.
“At the same time, some of us have faced intimidation from the very men in uniform who swore to protect Nigerians,” she said.
She stressed that the detained officers had served the country on the frontlines and deserved the opportunity to defend themselves before a competent court of law.
“Our husbands served this country faithfully on the frontlines, risking their lives in defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Today their families are left with fear, uncertainty and unanswered questions”,
she said.
The families appealed directly to the president and Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady, urging them to intervene and ensure justice is done.
“We appeal to President Bola Tinubu, a father and grandfather, and to Her Excellency the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, a mother and revered pastor, to please look upon our situation with compassion, wisdom and justice,” Bashiru said.
She urged the presidency to examine the matter with an open mind and ensure the officers are treated as innocent until proven guilty.
“The allegations against them must not be used as a tool or a scapegoat. We want due process, nothing more and nothing less,” she said.
The families also called for immediate commencement of the trial in an open court where proceedings would be visible to the public.
“We respectfully request that the trials commence immediately in an open court of law visible to all Nigerians.
“We do not want secret proceedings or a media trial”, Bashiru said.
She added that the families would accept the outcome of a fair trial.
“If our husbands are guilty, let it be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But if they are innocent, justice demands that they be set free,” she said.
