Charge officers detained over rumoured coup against Tinubu or release them, Falana tells military
*Raises concerns families, lawyers denied access to them for 3 months
By KEMI KASUMU
“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.”
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Femi Falana, has called on the Nigerian military to either arraign or release officers reportedly detained over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Falana’s demand follows reports linking the detention of some military officers to a rumoured coup attempt earlier in October 2025. The allegations surfaced shortly after the Federal Government cancelled activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, a move that fuelled speculation of an attempted coup.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had, however, denied any link between the cancellation of the Independence Day parade and a coup plot. The DHQ also dismissed reports that 16 officers were arrested over an alleged attempt to topple the government, insisting the arrests were unrelated to such claims.
Despite the denial, it was later reported in the news on October 31, 2025, that 16 military officers had been arrested in the first week of October in connection with an alleged coup plot, while two others were said to be on the run.
In a statement issued on Monday January 12, 2026, Falana said investigations have confirmed that the detained officers are being probed over their alleged involvement in the rumoured coup attempt. He also raised concerns that families and legal representatives of the officers have allegedly been denied access to them for almost three months.
Falana stressed that the detained officers are entitled to their fundamental human rights and must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
“Notwithstanding the official denial, we have confirmed that the detained military officers have been investigated for their alleged involvement in the rumoured coup plot,” he said.
He added that while he is opposed to any unconstitutional change of government, the continued detention of the officers without trial is unlawful.
Falana urged the military authorities to either release the officers, with or without conditions, or charge them before a court martial if there is prima facie evidence against them, in line with the Armed Forces Act and the Nigerian Constitution.
“Notwithstanding the official denial, we have confirmed that the detained military officers have been investigated for their alleged involvement in the rumoured coup plot,” the statement reads.
“We have, however, been informed by the family members and lawyers of some of the detained military officers that they have been denied access to them for almost three months.
“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.
“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.
“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,” said Falana.
