Wives of detained military officers facing alleged coup-related charges have written to President Bola Tinubu, urging fairness, transparency, and justice in the ongoing military trial. In a letter titled “A Humble
Appeal for Fairness, Transparency, and Justice in the Ongoing Military Trial,” the women said they support accountability within the armed forces but warned against any process that could appear biased or unjust. The signatories include Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, Fatima Dauda, Josephine Enemona, Nana Aisha, Zara Abba, Helen Sunday, Khadija Aminu, Aisha Abubakar, Aisha Yusuf, Hauwa’u Aliyu, Firdausi Ibrahim, and Zuzu Igbaseimokumo.
They acknowledged approval for the military trial by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a step toward accountability, but stressed that justice must remain impartial and evidence-based. The women expressed concern that the trial could be influenced by bias, coercion, or institutional prejudice, warning that such risks could undermine public confidence in the process. They also raised concerns about prolonged detention and alleged inhumane treatment of the accused officers, as well as claims that confessional statements may have been obtained under coercion. According to the letter, reliance on such statements—if proven involuntary—could damage the credibility of the entire trial. The wives insisted that no individual should be condemned without credible and independently verifiable evidence, arguing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
The detained officers were first arrested after allegations of breaches of military regulations and indiscipline were announced on October 4, 2025, by then Director of Defence Information Brig Gen Tukur Gusau. A total of 16 officers were initially reported to have been taken into custody over suspected misconduct. However, an interim investigation later alleged the existence of a clandestine network of officers reportedly planning a coup. The alleged plan was said to involve surveillance of key national infrastructure, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025 reportedly set as the planned date for the operation. Targets allegedly included senior officials such as President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Those reportedly in custody include officers such as Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Ma’aji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu, and Maj I. Dauda.
The case is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Federal High Court Abuja, where Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted extra-judicial statements and video recordings as part of a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made. The defendants have challenged the admissibility of evidence, alleging coercion, torture, inducement, and violations of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Anti-Torture Act. During proceedings, the court played a video in which Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani allegedly said he warned suspected plotters that the coup plan would fail and that members would eventually betray themselves. The judge has ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements before the main trial continues.
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