Families Raise Alarm Over Treatment of Soldiers Held in Alleged Coup Case

(President Bola Ahmed. Photo by TVC News)

Relatives of military officers detained in connection with an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have expressed alarm over the handling and treatment of the accused personnel, demanding adherence to legal procedures, equitable judicial proceedings and enhanced transparency throughout military proceedings.

A’isha Nana, wife of one of the detained officers, disclosed during an interview on Monday that the situation has imposed severe hardship on the families involved.

Nana acknowledged that proper legal processes must proceed whilst emphasising that authorities bear responsibility for ensuring accused soldiers receive humane treatment.

She criticised the denial of contact with family members and legal representatives, as well as allegations of mistreatment.

She stated that families received no formal notification from military authorities following the arrests, learning of allegations exclusively through media publication.

Nana rejected claims suggesting that accused soldiers had discussed the alleged plot with their spouses, noting that military personnel typically refrain from sharing classified or sensitive matters with family members.

She emphasised that guilt or innocence should be established through evidence presented within a transparent judicial framework, with accused soldiers presumed innocent pending conviction.

She expressed frustration over what she characterised as prolonged delays in formal charges and restrictions preventing families from attending court proceedings.

Nana noted that families themselves had advocated for formal charging and open trial proceedings.

However, she indicated that family members have been barred from courtroom attendance while communication between detained soldiers and their legal counsel and relatives has been allegedly restricted.

She prioritised ensuring that proceedings maintain fairness and transparency, emphasising that Nigeria’s democratic status necessitates that justice operates through open and equitable processes.

She called on authorities to facilitate proceedings by permitting accused soldiers access to legal representation and family contact whilst enabling the judiciary to evaluate the substantive merits of allegations independently.