Wives of military officers currently in detention over alleged coup-related charges have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure fairness, transparency and strict adherence to justice in the ongoing military trial involving their husbands.
The emotional plea was conveyed in a letter addressed to the President on Friday and titled, “A Humble Appeal for Fairness, Transparency, and Justice in the Ongoing Military Trial.”
The correspondence, exclusively obtained by The PUNCH, reflected the growing anxiety and frustration among family members of the detained officers, who fear that some of the accused may be convicted without credible evidence or a fair opportunity to defend themselves.
The signatories to the letter include Shafa’atu Ali Agbo, Fatima Dauda, Josephine Enemona, Nana Aisha, Zara Abba, Helen Sunday, Khadija Aminu, Aisha Abubakar, Aisha Yusuf, Hauwa’u Aliyu, Firdausi Ibrahim and Zuzu Igbaseimokumo.
In the strongly worded appeal, the women described the prolonged detention and ongoing court martial proceedings as emotionally devastating for their families, adding that the uncertainty surrounding the trial had left many children traumatised and households financially strained.
The spouses urged President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to personally intervene and ensure that the military justice system operates within the principles of fairness, accountability and constitutional rights.
According to the letter, the women are not asking for special treatment or immunity for the accused officers, but rather demanding that justice be based strictly on verifiable evidence and due process rather than suspicion, assumptions or external pressure.
They argued that the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces would be better protected through transparent judicial proceedings capable of inspiring confidence both within the military and among the civilian population.
The women also expressed concern over what they described as limited access to information regarding the ongoing trial, saying many family members had been left in the dark about the specific allegations, evidence and procedural developments connected to the case.
“Our husbands have dedicated years of loyal service to the nation, risking their lives in defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security. We humbly appeal that they should not be condemned unjustly or punished without credible and proven evidence,” portions of the letter reportedly stated.
The spouses further appealed to the President to ensure that the rights of the accused officers, including access to legal representation and fair hearing, are fully respected throughout the proceedings.
They warned that convictions secured without transparent processes could damage morale within the armed forces and undermine public confidence in the military justice system.
The appeal comes amid heightened public attention surrounding the ongoing trial of several military personnel accused of involvement in alleged coup-related activities and other offences considered detrimental to national security.
Although military authorities have remained largely silent on specific details of the case, security sources say the suspects are facing investigation and court martial proceedings over allegations bordering on mutiny, conspiracy and actions allegedly capable of undermining military command structures.
The development has generated widespread reactions among legal experts, civil society organisations and human rights advocates, many of whom have called for strict compliance with constitutional safeguards even within military judicial processes.
Some analysts argue that while the military has a responsibility to discipline personnel and protect national security, such powers must still be exercised within the framework of justice and established legal procedures.
Others note that military trials, particularly those involving allegations as serious as coup plotting, often attract intense scrutiny because of their political and security implications.
Legal practitioners have also emphasised that under Nigerian law, accused persons remain innocent until proven guilty and are entitled to fair hearing regardless of the nature of allegations against them.
The wives, in their appeal, said they still have confidence in President Tinubu’s commitment to democratic values and justice, expressing hope that he would ensure the process remains impartial and evidence-driven.
They described their intervention not as an attempt to obstruct military discipline but as a patriotic call for fairness and humanity.
“We believe in the rule of law and in the integrity of the Nigerian state. Our appeal is simply that justice should not only be done but should be seen to be done,” the letter added.
The women further appealed to relevant military authorities to consider the emotional and psychological toll the prolonged detention has had on their families, particularly children who have been separated from their fathers for extended periods.
As public attention continues to focus on the sensitive trial, observers say the outcome could significantly shape perceptions about transparency, accountability and human rights within Nigeria’s military justice system.
Neither the Presidency nor military authorities had officially responded to the letter as of the time of filing this report.
