Coup Trial: Detained Officers’ Wives Demand Fair Hearing, Warn Against Convictions Without Evidence

Wives of detained military officers facing alleged coup-related charges have called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure fairness, transparency and justice in the ongoing military trial, warning against convictions without credible evidence.

In a letter dated Friday and titled “A Humble Appeal for Fairness, Transparency, and Justice in the Ongoing Military Trial,” the women urged the Federal Government to guarantee due process in the handling of the case.

The letter, obtained exclusively, was signed by multiple spouses of the detained officers, including Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, Fatima Dauda, Josephine Enemona, Nana Aisha, Zara Abba, Helen Sunday, Khadija Aminu, Aisha Abubakar, Aisha Yusuf, Hauwa’u Aliyu, Firdausi Ibrahim and Zuzu Igbaseimokumo.

They acknowledged the President’s approval of the military trial, describing it as an important step toward accountability, but expressed concern that the process could be undermined by bias, coercion or institutional prejudice.

The women stressed that while allegations of mutiny or coup plotting are serious and must be investigated, justice must remain transparent and free from any appearance of persecution.

They also referenced past controversial military trials in Nigeria, warning that some historical cases later became subjects of national regret due to perceived injustice.

According to them, prolonged detention, alleged inhumane treatment, and claims that confessional statements may have been obtained under coercion have raised public concern about the integrity of the proceedings.

“No confession extracted through fear, torture, or inhumane treatment should become the foundation upon which lives, careers, and families are destroyed,” the letter stated.

They further insisted that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, adding that no individual should be condemned without independently verifiable evidence.

The wives urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that the trial does not become “another painful chapter” in Nigeria’s democratic history.

The appeal comes amid ongoing proceedings involving detained officers accused of involvement in an alleged coup plot, which security sources say included surveillance of key national installations such as the Presidential Villa and military facilities in Abuja.

Some of the officers reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Ma’aji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Maj A. J. Ibrahim and others.

The case is part of wider treason and terrorism-related prosecutions currently before the courts, with defendants challenging the admissibility of confessional statements, alleging coercion and rights violations.