Isaac Samuel
Families of military officers standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have called for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to due process in the ongoing court martial proceedings.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja, the families said they were not politicians or opponents of the government but concerned citizens seeking justice and fair treatment for their detained relatives.
Speaking on behalf of the families, wife of one of the military officers, Aishatu Yesufu alleged that the officers and their families had endured months of hardship since the detention of the accused officers nine months ago.
“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.
Yesufu alleged that family members and legal representatives were denied access to the detained officers for more than 180 days despite repeated requests.
She also claimed that the families had not been provided with complete medical reports on the officers, some of whom she said were battling health challenges, including vision and respiratory complications linked to their conditions of detention.
The families further questioned the circumstances under which statements were obtained from the officers, alleging that they were denied access to lawyers and relatives during interrogations.
They also expressed concern over the reported use of restraints during court martial proceedings.
While stressing that they were not seeking to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused officers, the families argued that the legal process must be transparent and fair.
“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 stated.
They urged military authorities to permit independent international human rights observers to monitor the proceedings, allow broader media and public access to the trial, and grant independent medical professionals access to examine the detainees.
The families also appealed to the international community to closely monitor the case, insisting that their demand was for accountability and fairness rather than interference.
“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.
According to the families, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, adding that the credibility of the process is as important as the eventual outcome.
They also said they possess documents, photographs and witnesses which they are willing to make available to journalists and urged the media to report the matter objectively.
Also speaking, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju appealed to President Tinubu to ensure that the constitutional rights of the detained officers are protected throughout the legal process.
Adeyanju said he had advised the families against making statements capable of prejudicing the trial and pledged to guide their public engagements to avoid comments that could affect the proceedings.
“My appeal goes directly to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 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 noted that Nigeria is governed by a democratic constitutional order and not a military regime, stressing that respect for the rule of law remains fundamental.
According to him, the concerns raised by the families deserve careful consideration, as every citizen is entitled to fair treatment and protection under the law regardless of the allegations against them.
Adeyanju cited the Supreme Court judgment in Bello v. State, which affirmed that even convicted persons retain certain rights while legal processes are ongoing.
“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.
The lawyer urged the President to direct relevant authorities to investigate allegations regarding the welfare and health conditions of the detained officers and ensure they receive appropriate medical attention.
He also called for the families to be allowed to engage independent medical professionals where necessary, arguing that such measures would strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the process.
Adeyanju warned that failure to address the concerns could undermine public trust 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.
