Falana faults military over coup plot reversal
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has accused the Nigerian military of misleading the public following its decision to arraign some officers over an alleged plot to overthrow the government, months after denying such claims.
Falana made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, reacting to the military’s announcement that some officers would face trial over the alleged plot.
He said the latest disclosure contradicted the military’s earlier position and required a public apology to Nigerians.
Call for apology after denial
According to Falana, the military authorities should have acknowledged their earlier denial after confirming that the matter went beyond acts of indiscipline.
“Yesterday, the military authorities ought to have apologised to Nigerians. People in authority must learn to take us seriously as a people,” he said.
He added that reversing such a serious public position without an apology was unacceptable.
“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,” Falana stated.
Background to the controversy
The military disclosed on Monday that some officers would be arraigned, more than three months after announcing the arrest of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and violations of service regulations.
At the time, the military denied reports linking the cancellation of the 2025 Independence Day parade to a coup plot, describing the claims as false, malicious, and capable of creating unnecessary tension and distrust among Nigerians.
Falana said a public acknowledgment of the earlier denial, followed by an apology, would have been a more honourable approach.
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