Families Of Alleged Coup Plotters Demand Fair Trial

Families of military officers standing trial over an alleged coup plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have called for international monitoring of the ongoing court martial proceedings, citing concerns over transparency, due process and the welfare of the detainees.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the families urged the international community and human rights organisations to closely observe the trial, insisting that their appeal was not for interference but to ensure fairness and accountability in the judicial process.

Speaking on behalf of the families, a human rights activist, Aishatu Yesufu alleged that the detained officers and their relatives had been subjected to months of hardship since they were arrested about nine months ago.

She also alleged that family members and legal representatives were denied access to the detained officers for more than 180 days despite repeated requests.

Yesufu claimed that some of the officers were facing health challenges, including vision and respiratory complications.

While stressing that they were not seeking to determine the innocence or guilt of the accused officers, the families maintained that the judicial process must be transparent and fair calling on military authorities to allow independent international human rights observers to monitor the proceedings and grant broader access to the media.

They also appealed to the international community to keep a close watch on the case, arguing that public confidence in the outcome would depend largely on the transparency of the process hence justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, emphasizing that the fairness of the process is as important as the eventual verdict.

On his part, a Human Rights Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the constitutional rights of the detained officers are respected throughout the legal process.

Adeyanju also advised the families against making statements capable of prejudicing the trial and pledged to guide their public engagements to avoid comments that could influence 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.”

The lawyer noted that Nigeria operates under a democratic constitutional order and not a military regime, stressing that adherence to the rule of law remains fundamental.

According to him, the concerns raised by the families deserve serious attention, 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 of Bello and the State, which affirmed that even convicted persons retain certain rights while legal processes remain pending.

He urged the President to direct relevant authorities to investigate allegations concerning the welfare and health conditions of the detained officers and ensure that they receive appropriate medical care.

He also appealed to the families to be allowed to engage independent medical professionals where necessary.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji