Families Raise Alarm Over Health of Detained Coup Suspects, Seek Independent Medical Access

Families of military officers facing trial over an alleged coup plot have expressed concern over the health and welfare of their detained relatives, alleging that some are suffering from injuries, deteriorating eyesight and respiratory complications after spending months in custody.

The relatives made the appeal on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja, calling on the Federal Government and military authorities to ensure transparency in the ongoing court-martial proceedings and permit independent medical examinations of the accused officers.

Speaking on behalf of the families, Aisha Yusuf said the detained officers and their loved ones had endured months of emotional trauma and uncertainty since their arrest about nine months ago.

Yusuf stressed that the families were not challenging the authority of the military or attempting to interfere with the judicial process, but were concerned about what they described as a lack of openness surrounding the trial.

“We are family members, wives and children of detained officers accused of a coup plot. We are not politicians. We are not anarchists. We are only law-abiding citizens compelled to speak out,” she said.

According to her, access to the detainees remains heavily restricted, with family members and legal representatives allegedly allowed only one visit per week.

She further claimed that the officers were denied the presence of lawyers or relatives during the taking of their statements and had not been provided with comprehensive medical reports despite visible signs of declining health.

“They have not been given full medical reports, even though some of them have visible injuries. Many are losing their eyesight and having lung issues due to their long stay in underground facilities with no ventilation,” Yusuf alleged.

The families also accused military authorities of subjecting the officers to degrading treatment during court appearances, including the use of leg and hand restraints.

While acknowledging that the court would determine the guilt or innocence of the accused officers, Yusuf insisted that the process must be transparent and fair.

She called for the presence of international human rights observers at the proceedings, greater media access to the trial and permission for independent medical practitioners to assess the health condition of the detainees.

The families maintained that respect for due process and the rights of the accused would strengthen public confidence in the outcome of the court-martial proceedings.