Families of military officers detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration have accused the military authorities of torture, rights violations and a lack of transparency in the ongoing court-martial proceedings.
The families, through their spokesperson, Aishatu Yusufu, made the allegations on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, saying they were compelled to speak out because they believe the truth surrounding the case is being suppressed.
Yusufu said the families are not opposed to the military or its laws but are worried about the condition and treatment of their relatives, who have been in detention for about nine months.
“We are family members, wives and children of detained officers accused of a coup plot. We are not politicians; we are not anarchists; we are only law-abiding citizens compelled to speak out,” she said.
She alleged that the detained officers and their families had faced intimidation, while access to legal representatives and family visits was restricted for over 180 days.
According to her, some of the officers developed health challenges, including worsening eyesight and respiratory issues, allegedly due to prolonged detention in underground facilities.
Yusufu further claimed that the officers were denied access to lawyers and relatives during statement-taking and were presented before the court-martial in handcuffs and leg restraints.
The families stressed that they were not seeking to determine whether the accused officers were guilty or innocent but were demanding a fair, open and transparent judicial process.
They called on the military authorities to allow media coverage of the trial, permit international human rights observers to monitor proceedings and approve independent medical examinations for the detainees.
“We are asking for transparency. If there is nothing to hide, they should show everything,” Yusufu said, urging the military to provide evidence supporting the allegations.
The families also appealed to the international community to monitor the case, arguing that justice should be measured not only by the outcome of the trial but also by the fairness of the process.
The Federal Government had filed a 13-count charge against six security personnel and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over an alleged plan to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
The charges, which include treason, terrorism and terrorism financing, followed the arrest of several military officers in October 2025 after the Defence Headquarters said it uncovered a coup plot.
The accused persons have denied the allegations and are standing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Those listed among the defendants include Sylva, retired Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, retired Captain Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, and Police Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim.