Fresh outrage has erupted over plans by the Nigerian military to conduct secret, staggered hearings for officers detained over an alleged coup plot against the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sources say the arrangement is aimed at controlling proceedings and limiting transparency in the high-profile case.
According to multiple insiders, the proposed hearings would deny the accused officers the right to choose their own legal representation and bar family members from attending the proceedings. Critics argue that the move raises serious concerns about fairness, due process, and accountability.
One source described the situation as more than a delayed judicial process, alleging it reflects an effort to manage outcomes and suppress transparency. Another insider said confidence in the handling of the case is “collapsing,” adding that what is being presented “is not justice, it is control.”
The development comes amid growing concerns over the prolonged detention of several military officers arrested in October 2025 for alleged indiscipline and an alleged plot to overthrow the government. Families of the detainees have repeatedly accused authorities of denying access to their relatives and withholding basic legal rights.
Earlier protests by wives of the detained officers at the National Assembly in Abuja called for either a transparent trial or their release, claiming the officers had been held incommunicado for months. While the military insists investigations uncovered a broader conspiracy, critics point to inconsistencies in official accounts and demand open court proceedings.