Wives of military officers detained over alleged coup-related offences have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure the ongoing military trial is fair, transparent, and based on credible evidence.
In a letter dated May 23 and addressed to the President, the women acknowledged his approval for the trial as a step toward accountability. But they warned the process risks being undermined by bias, coercion, and institutional prejudice if safeguards aren’t strengthened.
“We are not denying the gravity of the allegations. Mutiny and coup plotting are serious,” the letter said. “But the integrity of the judicial process must not be compromised.”
The spouses cited reports of prolonged detention, alleged inhumane treatment, and claims that some confessional statements were obtained under pressure. They said such developments have fueled doubts about the credibility of the proceedings and referenced past military trials in Nigeria that were later viewed as persecution rather than prosecution.
They urged Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure no officer is convicted without independently verifiable evidence and that confessions obtained through fear or coercion are excluded.
The officers were arrested in October 2025 over allegations of indiscipline and involvement in a plot targeting key national assets and senior government officials. Investigations reportedly uncovered a network of serving personnel accused of planning the operation.
Separately, a related case is ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik. Several defendants face charges of treason, terrorism, and conspiracy. The court has admitted statements and video evidence but is holding a trial-within-a-trial to determine if confessions were made voluntarily, after the defence alleged coercion.
Nigeria’s history with military trials has left a cautious public record. Trials in the 1990s under military rule were widely criticized for lack of due process, leading to later calls for civilian oversight of military justice. The current case is the most high-profile test of those reforms under a civilian government.
Both the military tribunal and the Federal High Court proceedings are continuing under close legal and public scrutiny.
