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.”
