Families and supporters of military officers facing trial over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu staged a protest on Monday at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, calling for the release of the detained suspects and a transparent judicial process.
The demonstrators gathered at the entrance of the ministry carrying placards with inscriptions including “Tinubu Release Our Heroes,” “Lt Col C Chima 419 Witness,” and “AGF, Stop the Kangaroo Court Martial Now.”
Security operatives, including officers of the Nigeria Police Force, prevented the protesters from entering the ministry premises and confined the demonstration to the gate area.
The protest follows growing concerns over the handling of the alleged coup case, especially after journalists were reportedly denied access to recent court proceedings involving some of the accused officers.
Speaking during the demonstration, the protest leader, Justice Isimili, said several family members of the detained officers travelled from different states to participate.
“Many of the people who turned out today are relatives of our heroes. Some of them came from Jos, Kano, and Sokoto to protest the continued detention of the alleged coup suspects who are our fathers, uncles, and brothers,” he said.
“All we are asking is for the President, who is our father, to temper justice with mercy. We want him to come to our aid. Many of us have not been able to rest or do anything because of our loved ones who are still being held.”
He also criticised the nature of the ongoing military trial.
“We want an open trial instead of what they are doing in the name of court martial, where family members, journalists, and the public are denied access to the court proceedings. All we are interested in is their freedom,” he added.
Another protester, Abdullahi Kale, who claimed he travelled from Sokoto, warned that continued detention of the suspects could fuel political tension in the North.
“No freedom, no second term. If the President and the AGF fail to release them, we will mobilise the north against Tinubu’s re-election,” he threatened.
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A female protester, Habibat Muhammad, who attended the protest with her baby strapped to her back, appealed for compassion, saying many families had suffered hardship since the arrests were made about eight months ago.
In response, a senior official at the ministry, who declined to reveal her identity, urged the protesters to remain peaceful and advised them to formally submit their complaints.
“This is what we told them. They should go back and put their house in order before coming back,” she said.
“When you return, let only two persons come with your letter. But if you insist on coming as a group like you did today, it will be misrepresented to mean another thing.”
When asked to identify herself, the official responded, “On this issue, I can’t give a name. I am just a director in the ministry. What I have only come to offer them is an explanation, which has been done. That is all.”
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations by families of the detained officers, who have repeatedly demanded either their release or a fair and public trial.
Controversy surrounding the case intensified weeks ago when journalists were reportedly barred from covering bail proceedings involving six suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The accused individuals are facing charges including treason, terrorism, money laundering and failure to disclose information.
While some serving officers are currently being tried through a court-martial process in Abuja, others are facing separate proceedings in civilian courts.
Authorities previously confirmed the arrest of several suspects, including serving and retired military personnel as well as civilians, over the alleged coup plot.