Mariam Sanni
The Family members of detained Nigerian military officers accused of a coup plot has called for international human rights observers, open court proceedings, and independent medical examinations.
Mrs Aisha Yusuf who spoke on behalf of the relatives of the detained officers in a bread briefing held in Abuja , spoke about their suffering and the lack of transparency in the trial process.
She alleged that their loved ones have been tortured, denied legal representation, and held in poor conditions for over 180 days.
They emphasized their non-political stance and their belief in the rule of law, urging the military to be transparent and present all evidence.
They expressed their readiness to share their documents and testimonies with the media.
insisting that their appeal was not for interference but to ensure fairness and accountability in the judicial process.
“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.
She also claimed that some of the officers were facing health challenges, including vision and respiratory complications, and that families had not been provided with complete medical reports on their conditions.
“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.
A 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 said he had advised the families against making statements capable of prejudicing the trial and pledged to guide their public engagements to avoid comments that could influence 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.
The lawyer noted that Nigeria operates under a democratic constitutional order and not a military regime, stressing that adherence to the rule of law remains fundamental.
“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 said.
He urged the President to direct relevant authorities to investigate allegations concerning the welfare and health conditions of the detained officers and ensure that they receive appropriate medical care.
According to him, the concerns raised by the families deserve serious attention, as every citizen is entitled to fair treatment and protection under the law regardless of the allegations against them.
Adeyanju cited the Supreme Court judgment in Bello v. State, which affirmed that even convicted persons retain certain rights while legal processes remain pending.
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