Families of officers detained over the alleged coup plot to oust President Bola Tinubu have accused the military of torture, human rights violations and lack of transparency in the ongoing court-martial proceedings.
Speaking on behalf of the families at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Aishatu Yusufu, spokesperson for the wives of the detained military officers, said they were compelled to speak out, noting that the truth about the case is being suppressed.
Yusufu said the families respect the military and its laws but are concerned about the treatment of their loved ones since their arrest about nine months ago.
“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.
“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.”
She alleged that the detained officers and their families have been subjected to intimidation and denied access to legal representation and family visits for more than 180 days.
According to her, some of the officers have suffered health complications, including deteriorating eyesight and respiratory problems, due to prolonged detention in underground facilities.
“We and our loved ones have been tortured, oppressed, suppressed, traumatised, humiliated, tormented and bullied,” Yusufu said.
“We and their lawyers were not allowed to see them for over 180 days, despite our countless appeals. We have not been given full medical reports, even though some of our relatives have visible injuries.”
Yusufu also alleged that the officers were denied legal representation or family members while statements were being taken and were brought before the court-martial in handcuffs and leg chains.
She said the families are not seeking to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused officers but are demanding a fair and transparent judicial process.
The families called on military authorities to open the trial to the media and members of the public, permit international human rights observers to monitor proceedings, and allow independent medical examinations of the detainees.
“We are asking for transparency,” Yusufu said.
“We call on the military authorities to allow international human rights observers to attend the trial, make the court proceedings open to the public and the media, and allow independent medical doctors to examine our relatives.”
She urged the international community to closely monitor the case, insisting that justice should not only be reflected in the outcome of the trial but also in the manner in which it is conducted.
“The military should show irrefutable evidence. If there is nothing to hide, they should show everything,” she said.
“We will continue to speak peacefully and lawfully.”
The federal government filed a 13-count charge against six security officers and Timipre Sylva, former minister of state for petroleum resources, over an alleged plot to overthrow Tinubu’s administration.
The charges, which include treason, terrorism and terrorism financing, stem from a coup plot the Defence Headquarters said it uncovered after the arrest of several military officers in October 2025.
The accused persons have denied the allegations and are facing trial before the federal high court in Abuja.
The defendants in the case are Sylva, Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major general; Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired captain; and Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector.
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