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Families Demand Freedom For Detained Officers In Protest At Justice Ministry.
Relatives and supporters of military officers currently standing trial over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
reports that the demonstrators called for an open trial and the release of the detained officers.
The protesters gathered at the ministry’s entrance, singing solidarity songs and displaying placards with messages such as “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 them from entering the ministry and restricted the protest to the main gate.
The demonstration comes amid rising concerns over the handling of the alleged coup case, especially following reports that journalists were recently barred from covering proceedings involving some of the accused officers.
Speaking to journalists, protest leader Justice Isimili said many of the demonstrators were family members of the detained officers who had travelled from different parts of the country.
“Many of the people who turned out today are relatives of our heroes. Some 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.
He appealed to President Tinubu to show compassion and intervene in the matter.
“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 added.
Isimili also criticised what he described as the secrecy surrounding the court-martial process, arguing that family members, journalists, and the public should be allowed access to proceedings.
“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. All we are interested in is their freedom,” he stated.
Another protester, Abdullahi Kale, who said he travelled from Sokoto, warned that continued detention could generate political backlash, alleging that northern military officers were being unfairly targeted.
A female protester, Habibat Muhammad, who attended with her one-year-old child, appealed for leniency, lamenting the hardship many affected families have faced since the arrests about eight months ago.
Responding on behalf of the ministry, an unnamed director urged the protesters to remain peaceful and submit a formal letter outlining their concerns.
She advised them to return in an organised manner, suggesting that only two representatives should submit their petition to avoid misinterpretation.
“This is what we told them. They should go back and put their house in order before coming back,” she said.
The protest follows previous demonstrations by families demanding access to the detained officers, their release, or immediate arraignment through a transparent legal process.
Controversy around the case intensified recently when journalists were reportedly prevented from covering bail proceedings for six suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The detained individuals are facing charges including treason, terrorism, money laundering, and failure to disclose information.
While some serving officers are being tried before a military court-martial, others are facing prosecution in civilian courts.
Families of the suspects continue to insist on access to their loved ones and a transparent judicial process in line with constitutional provisions.
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