Maha Christopher
Families of military officers standing trial over an alleged coup plot have expressed concern over the health and welfare of their detained relatives, claiming that some are suffering from deteriorating health conditions after months in custody.
According to The Punch, the relatives made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, calling on the Federal Government and military authorities to ensure transparency in the ongoing court-martial proceedings and permit independent medical examinations of the accused officers.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Aisha Yusuf said the detainees and their relatives had endured months of uncertainty since their arrest about nine months ago.
“We are family members, wives, and children of detained officers accused of a coup plot. We are not politicians. We are not anarchists. We are only law-abiding citizens compelled to speak out,” she said.
“We love our country. We respect the military and its laws. But we are deeply afraid for our loved ones. We are speaking now because we believe the truth is being suppressed.”
Yusuf alleged that access to the detained officers remained limited, with family members and legal representatives reportedly allowed only one visit per week.
She also claimed that some of the officers were experiencing health challenges, including vision problems and respiratory complications.
“They have not been given full medical reports, even though some of them have visible injuries. Many are losing their eyesight and having lung issues due to their long stay in underground facilities and no ventilation,” she alleged.
The families further raised concerns about the treatment of the detainees during court appearances, while maintaining that they were not seeking to interfere with the judicial process.
“We are not here to say our relatives are innocent of every charge. That is for the court to decide. But we are saying that the process has not been fair and open,” Yusuf said.
Another family representative, Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, wife of Lt. Col. M.A. Al-Makura, alleged that several of the accused officers were facing medical challenges.
“Of course, it’s most of them who are seriously affected. In fact, even the army recommended glasses for them to use,” she claimed.
Also speaking, Aisha Nana Usman, wife of Lt. Col. Sadiq Mohammed, alleged that the detainees had been denied basic rights since their arrest.
“Their fundamental human rights were denied. Ours was also denied. We made several appeals for us to see them or even hear from them before they are charged. And it took them so long before they granted our request,” she said.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who attended the briefing, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the constitutional rights of the accused officers were protected.
“These people are still presumed to be innocent under the law. The issues that the family have raised, Mr President should direct the authorities to look into them,” he said.
Adeyanju also called for proper medical attention for the detainees and suggested that their families be allowed to engage independent medical professionals if necessary.
As of the time of filing this report, military authorities had not responded to the allegations. Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, for comment were unsuccessful.
