Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the Nigerian military for failing to apologise to Nigerians after initially denying reports of a coup plot, only to later confirm the existence of an alleged plan to overthrow the government.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Falana said, “Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people.”
The military had announced on Monday that some officers would face a military judicial panel over the alleged coup plot, more than three months after initially arresting 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations.
In October 2025, the military denied any connection between the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade and a coup plot, describing such claims as “false, malicious, and capable of creating unnecessary tension and distrust among Nigerians.”
Reacting to the military’s reversal, Falana accused the authorities of deliberately misleading the public. “If you had made a statement three months ago that there was no coup plot and, in the course of your investigation, discovered that the matter went beyond indiscipline, you ought to have apologised to the Nigerian people,” he said. He maintained that reversing such a serious position without an apology was unacceptable and added that a public acknowledgment would have been more honourable.
Falana also questioned the plan to try the detained officers by court martial, noting that allegations of a coup plot fall under treason or treasonable felony, offences triable only in Federal or State High Courts. He further condemned the reported denial of access to legal counsel, insisting that the officers have the right to meet their lawyers, family members, and medical personnel—rights he claims have been withheld.
He added that up to 42 individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot and called for the immediate release of those not formally indicted. Falana’s comments underscore ongoing concerns about transparency, due process, and accountability within the military.
