Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on Friday joined the wives of several detained Nigerian military officers in a protest in Abuja, demanding that authorities either charge the officers to court over the alleged coup plot against the federal government or release them without further delay.
The protest, which attracted attention from passersby and security personnel, was organised by families of the detained officers alongside civil rights advocates. The demonstrators gathered to express their dissatisfaction over what they described as the prolonged detention of the officers without formal charges or trial.
Reports indicate that the Nigerian Armed Forces had earlier detained at least 16 senior officers following allegations that they were involved in a plot to overthrow the federal government. However, months after their arrest, the officers are reportedly still being held without being formally charged before a court.
Carrying placards bearing various messages, the protesters called on the administration of Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the matter is handled in accordance with the law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Some of the placards displayed messages such as “Charge Them or Release Them,” “Justice for Our Husbands,” and “Respect the Constitution.”
Speaking during the protest, Sowore emphasised that the demand of the protesters was simple and rooted in the principles of justice and due process.
According to him, no citizen—including members of the military—should be detained indefinitely without being given the opportunity to defend themselves before a competent court of law.
Sowore said the rule of law remains the cornerstone of any democratic society and that authorities must ensure that legal procedures are followed in cases involving serious allegations such as coup plotting.
Another activist and legal practitioner present at the protest, Deji Adeyanju, also called on the authorities to respect the constitutional rights of the detained officers.
Adeyanju noted that while allegations relating to national security must be treated with seriousness, such cases should still be handled transparently through the judicial process.
He warned that prolonged detention without trial could raise concerns about respect for fundamental human rights and due process.
Family members of the detained officers also spoke during the protest, appealing directly to the president and military authorities to ensure that justice is done.
One of the wives of the detained officers addressed the crowd, explaining that their families have endured months of uncertainty since the arrests were made.
“We are not asking for a favour; we are asking for justice,” she said. “If there is evidence against our husbands, they should be charged to court and allowed to defend themselves. But if there is no evidence, they should be released.”
She explained that the prolonged detention has taken a significant emotional and psychological toll on the families of the officers.
“For more than five months, our families have lived with uncertainty, fear and unanswered questions,” she said. “Today we are here for one simple reason—to ask that justice be done openly in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Several of the women present at the demonstration said they felt helpless watching allegations about their husbands circulate publicly while the officers themselves have not been given the chance to defend themselves in court.
According to them, the situation has effectively subjected their spouses to what they described as “trial by media.”
“These past months have been deeply painful for our families,” another wife said. “We have watched helplessly as narratives about our husbands are presented to the public, making it appear as if they have already been found guilty.”
She added that the public discussion of the allegations without a court trial has damaged the reputation of the officers and placed their families under social pressure.
The wives also claimed that some of them had experienced intimidation while trying to seek information about the status of their husbands.
“At the same time, some of us have faced intimidation from the very men in uniform meant to protect Nigerians,” she alleged.
The families emphasised that many of the detained officers have served Nigeria for years and have participated in operations aimed at defending the country against security threats.
“Our husbands and fathers have served this country faithfully on the front lines,” one of the women said. “They risked their lives in defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Today, their families are left with fear, uncertainty and unanswered questions.”
According to the families, the detention has also created financial hardship in many households. Several of the officers were primary providers for their families, leaving spouses and children struggling to cope in their absence.
Despite their concerns, the families said they understand the importance of national security investigations and are not opposed to lawful inquiries into the allegations.
However, they insisted that once investigations have been concluded, the next step should be to initiate formal legal proceedings.
The wives pointed out that earlier statements from military authorities suggested that investigations into the alleged coup plot had already been completed.
If that is the case, they argued, the appropriate step would be to bring the officers before a court where evidence can be presented and examined.
“If investigations have indeed been concluded, then they should begin the trial in an open court,” one of the wives said.
The protesters stressed that they were not seeking special treatment or political intervention beyond ensuring that the law is followed.
Human rights advocates who participated in the protest said transparency and respect for legal procedures are essential to maintaining public trust in institutions.
They argued that the rule of law must apply equally to everyone, including members of the armed forces and government authorities.
The demonstration remained peaceful throughout, with protesters urging the government to resolve the issue quickly.
Sowore reiterated that the purpose of the protest was not to undermine national security or challenge the authority of the military but to demand adherence to constitutional principles.
He stated that if credible evidence exists to support the allegations of a coup plot, the officers should be prosecuted in a court of law where the facts can be determined.
However, he maintained that if there is no evidence to support the accusations, the continued detention of the officers would be unjust.
As of the time of the protest, military authorities had not publicly announced when formal charges might be filed or whether the officers would be released.
For the families gathered in Abuja, the protest represented both a plea for justice and a call for transparency.
They expressed hope that their demonstration would draw national attention to their concerns and encourage authorities to ensure that the case is handled fairly and in accordance with the Constitution.
Until then, they said, they will continue to demand that the detained officers either be formally charged and tried in court or released so they can return to their families.
