Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has criticised the Nigerian military for failing to apologise after initially denying reports of a coup plot and later confirming the existence of an alleged plan to overthrow the government.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Falana said the military owed Nigerians an explanation for the change in position.
“Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people,” he said.
On Monday, the military announced that some officers would face a military judicial panel over the alleged plot, more than three months after 16 officers were arrested for what was then described as acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
In October 2025, the military had dismissed claims linking the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade to a coup plot, calling the reports false and capable of causing unnecessary tension.
Reacting to the latest development, Falana said the authorities had misled the public.
“If you made a statement three months ago that there was no coup plot and later discovered that the matter went beyond indiscipline, you ought to have apologised to the Nigerian people,” he said.
He argued that reversing such a serious position without an apology was unacceptable and said a public acknowledgment would have been more honourable. Falana said he still hoped the military would offer an apology.
The senior advocate also questioned the plan to try the detained officers by court martial. He said allegations involving a coup plot amount to treason or treasonable felony, which are offences that can only be tried before a Federal or State High Court.
Falana further criticised the alleged denial of access to legal counsel for the detained officers. He said they are entitled to see their lawyers, family members and doctors, adding that those rights had been withheld.
He also noted that up to 42 people had been arrested in connection with the matter and called for the release of anyone who has not been formally charged.
