Families of Detained Military Officers Demand Fair Trial, Due Process

Families of military officers currently facing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu have raised concerns about the treatment of their loved ones, calling for transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to due process in the ongoing court martial proceedings.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the families said they were neither politicians nor opponents of the government, but concerned citizens seeking justice and fair treatment for their relatives.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Aishatu Yesufu alleged that since the officers were detained nine months ago, both the detainees and their relatives have endured what she described as torture, oppression, trauma, humiliation, and intimidation.

“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.

According to her, family members and legal representatives were denied access to the detained officers for more than 180 days despite repeated requests. She further alleged that the families had not been provided with complete medical reports on the detainees, some of whom she claimed are suffering from health complications, including vision and respiratory challenges linked to their detention conditions.

The families also questioned the circumstances under which statements were obtained from the officers, alleging that they were denied access to lawyers and family representatives during interrogations. They further expressed concern over the reported use of restraints during court martial proceedings.

“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.

The families demanded that military authorities allow independent international human rights observers to monitor the proceedings, grant broader access to the media and public, and permit independent medical professionals to examine the detainees.

They also appealed to the international community to closely observe the case, insisting that their call was not for interference but for accountability and fairness.
“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.

The families maintained that while they believe in the rule of law, justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, stressing that the fairness of the process is as important as the eventual verdict.

They added that they possess documents, photographs, and witnesses which they are willing to make available to journalists, urging the media to report the matter objectively.

Also speaking at the briefing, 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 disclosed that he had advised the families against making statements capable of prejudicing the trial and pledged to guide their public engagements to prevent 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 emphasised 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, noting that every citizen, regardless of the allegations against them, is entitled to fair treatment and protection under the law.

Adeyanju cited the Supreme Court judgment in Bello v. State, which affirmed that even convicted persons retain certain rights while legal processes remain pending.
“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 stated.

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

He further called for the families to be allowed to engage independent medical professionals where necessary, saying such measures would help build confidence in the integrity of the process.

Adeyanju warned that failure to address the concerns could erode public confidence 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.