Falana Blasts Military Over Coup Plot U-Turn, Demands Public Apology, Slams Court-Martial Plan

Sahara Reporters has taken to its official X handle and announced that the, Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has launched a blistering attack on the Nigerian military over what he described as a deliberate deception of the Nigerian public regarding the alleged coup plot involving serving military officers.
Falana’s condemnation followed the military’s announcement on Monday that several officers would face a military judicial panel over an alleged plan to overthrow the government—more than three months after the same military authorities publicly dismissed reports of any coup-related activities as false.
In October 2025, investigative online platform SaharaReporters exclusively reported that multiple senior officers had been arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja over an alleged plot to topple the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. At the time, the report was vehemently denied by military authorities, who insisted there was no coup plot and accused the media of spreading misinformation.
The DIA, established in 1986, is Nigeria’s foremost military intelligence agency, mandated to gather and analyse intelligence to counter threats to national security, protect territorial integrity, and support military operations, including ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-insurgency campaigns.
Contrary to its earlier denials, the military has now admitted that officers are indeed being investigated for alleged coup-related offences—a reversal Falana described as deeply troubling and insulting to Nigerians.
Speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday, Falana said the latest admission confirms that Nigerians were intentionally misled.
“Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people,” Falana stated.
He described the sudden reversal on such a grave national security issue—without an apology or explanation—as unacceptable and unbecoming of a professional armed force.
“If you had made a statement three months ago that there was no coup plot and, in the course of your investigation, discovered that the matter went beyond indiscipline, you ought to have apologised to the Nigerian people,” he added.
Falana stressed that a public acknowledgment of the earlier denial, followed by a formal apology, would have demonstrated responsibility, transparency, and respect for democratic norms. He expressed hope that the military leadership would still retrace its steps and do the right thing.
Beyond issues of public accountability, Falana also questioned the legality of the military’s decision to subject the detained officers to a court martial.
According to him, a court martial is only applicable in cases strictly related to military indiscipline.
“Since it is now being described as an alleged coup plot, the officers can only be charged with treason or treasonable felony,” Falana argued.
He emphasised that under Nigerian law, treason-related offences are exclusively triable before a Federal or State High Court, not a military tribunal.
Falana further condemned reports that the detained officers have been denied access to legal counsel, describing it as a clear violation of their constitutional rights.
“They are entitled to see their lawyers, family members, and doctors. No authority is above the Constitution,” he said.
The senior lawyer disclosed that up to 42 persons may have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot and called for the immediate release of all individuals who have not been formally charged.
While the Defence Headquarters claimed that 16 officers were arrested and placed under investigation, SaharaReporters reliably learnt that no fewer than 35 military personnel are currently being held across various facilities.
Breakdown of detained officers includes:
Senior Officers:
1 Brigadier General, 2 Colonels, 5 Lieutenant Colonels, 1 Wing Commander, 8 Majors, 1 Lieutenant Commander, 2 Squadron Leaders, 5 Captains, and 1 Lieutenant.
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs):
1 Warrant Officer, 5 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, and 2 Lance Corporals.
Sources revealed that one of the detained officers, Army Captain A. Yusuf, is from Osun State, while Squadron Leader Zuzu, an Air Force officer from Bayelsa State, is another Southerner among those held. The remaining 33 officers are reportedly from the Northern region, including the Federal Capital Territory.
More disturbing are allegations from military insiders that some officers were coerced into admitting guilt under duress, allegedly to fit a predetermined narrative meant for presentation to President Tinubu. It was also claimed that some of the detained officers were recalled from overseas training programmes before being arrested.
As public scrutiny intensifies, Falana’s intervention has reignited calls for transparency, constitutional compliance, and respect for the rule of law, warning that the handling of the case could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy and civil-military relations.