FALANA: MILITARY SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO NIGERIANS OVER DENIAL OF COUP PLOT
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticized the Nigerian military for not apologizing to Nigerians after initially denying reports of a coup plot, only to later confirm that such a plot allegedly existed.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Falana said, “Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologized to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people.”
The military announced on Monday that some officers would face a military judicial panel over the alleged coup plot. This came more than three months after 16 officers were arrested for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations.
In October 2025, the military had dismissed claims linking the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade to a coup plot, calling such reports “false, malicious, and capable of creating unnecessary tension and distrust among Nigerians.”
Reacting to the new revelations, Falana said the military had “deliberately misled the public.” He added, “If you had made a statement three months ago that there was no coup plot and, during your investigation, discovered otherwise, you ought to have apologized to the Nigerian people.”
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Falana argued that reversing such a serious position without an apology was unacceptable, stating that a public acknowledgment would have been more honorable. He expressed hope that the military would still issue an apology.
The senior advocate also questioned the military’s plan to try the detained officers by court-martial. He said that since the allegations involve a coup plot, the officers should only be charged with treason or treasonable felony, offenses that are triable exclusively in Federal or State High Courts.
Falana further condemned the alleged denial of access to legal counsel for the detained officers, insisting on their right to meet with lawyers, family members, and doctors—rights he claims have been withheld. He noted that up to 42 people have been arrested and called for the release of those not formally indicted.
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