The Digest:
Wives of Nigerian military officers detained over an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu staged a protest in Abuja on Friday, flanked by human rights activists Omoyele Sowore and Deji Adeyanju . The women demanded open trial of their husbands, who have been held for over 160 days without being brought to court . Addressing the Federal Capital Territory gathering, the protesters questioned inconsistencies in the allegations, noting that the initial claim of N12 billion found in an officer's account later changed to N835 million in a company account, a reduction of about 93 percent . They also highlighted that the reason for arrest shifted from "indiscipline" to "conspiracy to commit a coup d'état" . The wives appealed to President Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and national leaders to intervene, insisting their husbands are innocent until proven guilty . They also demanded access to their detained relatives, stating some have faced intimidation from security personnel .
Key Points
- The 160-day detention without trial violates constitutional guarantees of presumption of innocence.
- The shifting narratives, from N12 billion to N835 million, from indiscipline to coup conspiracy, raise serious questions about the investigation's credibility.
- Families have been denied access to their husbands and fathers, with some reporting intimidation from security forces.
- The protest, supported by prominent activists, highlights growing public concern over due process.
- The women insist they seek only what the constitution guarantees: open justice and transparency.
Sources: Daily Trust, News Express, Channels TV
