₦airaland Forum

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has asked the Nigerian military to release the officers detained for allegedly plotting a coup to terminate Nigeria’s democracy.

In October 2025, the federal government announced the cancellation of the parade earlier scheduled to celebrate the country’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1

Days after, there were reports linking the cancellation of the independence anniversary events to an alleged coup attempt.

However, the defence headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the reports, insisting that the cancellation had no links to the alleged coup attempt.

The DHQ also clarified that the arrest of 16 officers mentioned in the report was unrelated to any alleged coup plot.

On October 31, 2025, TheCable reported that 16 military officers were arrested in the first week of the month over the alleged coup attempt, while two other officers were on the run.

Reacting to the detention of the officers in a statement on Monday, Falana said despite official denial, it has been confirmed that the affected military personnel are being investigated over their alleged involvement in the rumoured coup plot.

The human rights lawyer said families and lawyers of the officers have been denied access to them for almost three months.

He asked the military authorities to arraign the officers before a court martial if there is prima facie evidence against them.

“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.”

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

ZombieDredd:
Next time they will plan it well

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

ChiefOloye:
Falana just want to be in the news after a very long sisilence... he should go and sit down! Does it mean he doesn't understand that these felons are under military investigation, which may take years to be concluded?

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

epainos:
This forum should empower readers to switch off comments like this. Small pikins cannot reason like this na. Most of these people don't read or perhaps, they will never understand anything. And if they don't understand straight forward issue like this, then, how do these people make meaningful things in life? Na dem gan gan be parasites in this Nigeria....at times, something tells me that finding a way to let them off the Nigerian cause will make the nation progressive. Cos how upstairs go dey do "rag rag rag" like this?

But I want to believe that the worst upstairs wey "kolosian" cannot be this bad. So, it must be greediness (what they take) that is motivating them to be deliberately having malfunctioned indomie at the 7th floor. In such case, let's just pretend it is so.

In plain words lets repest it again,

"If these officers are guilty, the president shld not release them, but send them to court. The army said there was no coup, so why are they holding these people? Nigeria has a law and they should follow it".

So, let's see if ya will fit connect with the explanation again or the "rag rag rag" is deliberately permanent.

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

ChiefOloye:
Falana just want to be in the news after a very long sisilence... he should go and sit down! Does it mean he doesn't understand that these felons are under military investigation, which may take years to be concluded?

Dialpad:
Tell me which country in the world releases coup plotters ?

Is this a joke or something

symbianDON:
but military and government DENIED that the officers were being investigated for a supposed coup attempt!

sparko1:
Leave Falana, he is just doing Instagram Post.

If they were successful, even Falana will be in prison, they just open their mouth and talk.

Families of those plotters are usually not spared in other countries, because they would have been informed about it.

Chegesnd:
It appears most of the Data Boys are Illiterates.
Even those amongst them who try to read, do not understand.
Three months is enough to conclude investigation and charge them to court, you don't keep people in detention indefinitely in guise of investigation.