Falana Slams Military Over Alleged Coup Plot, Demands Public Apology

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Tuesday criticized the Nigerian military for what he described as misleading the public over an alleged plot to overthrow the government.

Falana’s reaction followed a statement by the military on Monday, announcing that some officers would be arraigned before a military judicial panel over the alleged plot more than three months after it initially dismissed similar claims.

In October 2025, the military announced the arrest of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations, while strongly denying reports that the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade was linked to a coup plot. The claim was at the time described as false and capable of causing unnecessary panic.

However, speaking on Channels Television’s on Tuesday, Falana said the military’s latest position contradicted its earlier denial and showed that Nigerians were deliberately misled.

“The military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians,” Falana said. “People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people.”

He described the reversal without a public apology as unacceptable, arguing that transparency demands accountability.

“If you made a statement three months ago denying a coup plot and later discovered that the matter went beyond indiscipline, you owe Nigerians an apology,” he added.

Falana further argued that the detained officers cannot be tried by court martial if the allegation involves a coup plot. According to him, such offences amount to treason or treasonable felony, which are triable only before a Federal or State High Court.

He also condemned the denial of access to legal representation, saying the officers have been prevented from meeting their lawyers, family members, and doctors—rights he said are guaranteed by law.

The senior lawyer disclosed that up to 42 people have been arrested in connection with the matter and called for the immediate release of anyone who has not been formally charged.

He expressed hope that the military would still apologise to Nigerians and take steps to correct what he described as a serious breach of public trust.