Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the Nigerian military’s handling of an alleged coup plot involving serving officers, saying the armed forces should have apologised to Nigerians after initially denying any such plan.
Falana’s comments follow a recent announcement by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirming that some military personnel would be arraigned before a military judicial panel over an alleged attempt to overthrow the federal government. This admission came more than three months after the military first arrested officers on suspicion of indiscipline and violations of service regulations but denied that a coup plot was involved.
In his remarks, Falana said the military’s reversal from dismissing reports linking the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade to a purported coup attempt, to later acknowledging the plot demonstrated a lack of transparency and accountability. He argued that a formal apology to the public would have reflected institutional responsibility and helped restore trust.
The lawyer also raised questions about the legal path chosen for the detained officers. While the military plans to try them through court martial, Falana said alleged offences connected to a coup plot amount to treason or treasonable felony charges he believes fall under the jurisdiction of Federal or State High Courts, not exclusively military panels.
Falana criticised the ongoing denial of legal access for some detained officers, noting that constitutional rights to meet with counsel, family members and medical personnel should be upheld. He said that several people remain held in connection with the matter, and that those not formally indicted should be released.
The debate highlights enduring public concern over the balance between national security priorities and constitutional protections, and it underscores pressure on military authorities to communicate more clearly with the Nigerian public about sensitive internal security issues.
