‘Admit The Lie, Apologise To Nigerians’, Falana Slams Military Over Earlier Denial Of Coup Plot

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian military for misleading the public over the alleged coup plot involving some officers, saying the Armed Forces should have apologised for their earlier denial.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, ‘Sunrise Daily’, on Tuesday, Falana said the military’s admission that some officers would be arraigned before a military judicial panel over an alleged plot to overthrow the government contradicted its previous statement denying any coup attempt.

“Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people,” Falana said.

“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.”

LEADERSHIP reports that in October 2025, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers for what it described as “acts of indiscipline” and “violations of service regulations.” The military also dismissed reports linking the cancellation of the Independence Day parade to an alleged coup plot, calling such claims “false, malicious, and capable of creating unnecessary tension.”

However, in a new statement released on Monday, more than three months after the denial, the military acknowledged that some officers were indeed involved in a plot to overthrow the government and would face trial.

Falana said the reversal without a public apology was “unacceptable,” adding that transparency and accountability are essential for maintaining public trust.

“A reversal of such a serious position without an apology is unacceptable,” he insisted. “A public acknowledgment of the earlier denial and an apology after confirming the allegations would have been a more honourable approach.”

The senior lawyer also faulted the military’s decision to subject the accused officers to a court martial, arguing that treason-related charges can only be tried by a Federal or State High Court.

“The detained officers cannot be tried by court martial,” he explained. “A court martial would have sufficed if the matter were merely one of indiscipline. But since it involves an alleged coup plot, they can only be charged with treason or treasonable felony, offences triable only before a Federal or State High Court.”

Falana further decried reports that the detained officers were being denied access to legal counsel, family members, and medical care, insisting that such treatment violated their fundamental rights.

He disclosed that up to 42 individuals had been arrested in connection with the case and urged the authorities to release those who have not been formally indicted.

“Those who have not been formally charged should be released without further delay,” he said, expressing hope that the military would still apologise to Nigerians.