Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Nigerian military to either release officers detained over allegations of plotting a coup or formally arraign them before military courts.
Gatekeepers News reports that the call comes nearly three months after reports emerged linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day parade on October 1, 2025, to an alleged attempt to overthrow the government.
In the wake of the cancellation, 16 military officers were reportedly detained in early October, with two others said to be at large. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) later denied any connection between the parade cancellation and a coup attempt, adding that the arrests were unrelated to such claims.
Despite the official denial, Falana said investigations into the officers’ alleged involvement in the rumoured plot are ongoing, noting that the families and lawyers of the detained personnel have been denied access to them.
“It is pertinent to point out that the authorities are under a legal obligation to respect the human rights of the detained military officers since they are presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the state,” Falana said in a statement on Monday.
The human rights advocate emphasised that while he opposes any unconstitutional attempts to seize power, due process must be respected.
“Even though we are totally opposed to any form of unconstitutional change of government, we are compelled to demand for the conditional or unconditional release of the detained military officers from custody,” he said.
Falana added that if credible evidence exists against the officers, they should be formally tried in accordance with the law.
“However, if there is prima facie evidence that they had plotted to overthrow the government, they should be arraigned before special courts-martial and general courts-martial in line with the provisions of the Armed Forces Act and the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.
