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Wives of detained military officers facing alleged coup-related charges have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure fairness and transparency in the ongoing military trial, warning against the conviction of suspects without credible evidence.

The plea was contained 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 from spouses of the detained officers was exclusively obtained by The PUNCH.

The signatories are 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 letter, the women acknowledged Tinubu’s approval for the commencement of the military trial, describing it as “an important step toward accountability, clarity, and the pursuit of justice.”

They, however, expressed fears that the process could be tainted by bias, coercion and institutional prejudice.

“As citizens, we understand the importance of discipline within the armed forces and the sensitive responsibility placed upon the military in safeguarding national security.

“We also recognise that allegations relating to mutiny, coup plotting, or acts capable of undermining military authority are grave matters that must never be treated lightly.

“However, it is precisely because of the seriousness of these allegations that the process through which justice is pursued must itself remain just, transparent, impartial, and free from every appearance of prejudice,” the letter read.

The wives recalled past controversial military trials in Nigeria, saying some later became subjects of “national reflection and regret.”

It added, “From past allegations of ‘phantom coups’ to disputed dismissals and prolonged detentions of officers, many Nigerians have witnessed instances where prosecution appeared, in the eyes of the public, to drift dangerously toward persecution.”

The women also raised concerns over the prolonged detention of the accused officers and allegations of inhumane treatment.

According to them, reports suggesting that confessional statements may have been obtained under coercion had further heightened public anxiety over the integrity of the proceedings.

“The prolonged detention of the accused officers, the reports of inhumane treatment, and concerns that the case relies heavily on statements allegedly obtained under coercion and severe pressure have raised serious questions in the minds of many Nigerians,” the letter added.

They argued that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, stressing that the credibility of the trial would depend on the fairness of the process and the independence of the tribunal.

“No individual should be condemned without credible and independently verifiable evidence.

“No confession extracted through fear, torture, or inhumane treatment should become the foundation upon which lives, careers, and families are destroyed. Justice loses its moral authority the moment it appears predetermined,” they wrote.

The wives urged Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that the proceedings do not become “another painful chapter” in Nigeria’s history.

“We pray that under your leadership, Nigeria will continue to move toward a future where no citizen fears persecution disguised as prosecution, and where the law remains stronger than suspicion, fear, or institutional pressure,” the letter concluded.

The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.

However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.

According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, scheduled as the planned date for the operation.

Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Ma’aji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.

The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The appeal comes barely two weeks after a Federal High Court in Abuja admitted as exhibits the extra-judicial statements of six persons standing trial over an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu government, as the court commenced a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik admitted the statements and video recordings during proceedings aimed at resolving objections raised by the defendants over the admissibility of the evidence.

The defendants had earlier challenged the statements, alleging that they were obtained through coercion, torture, inducement and in violation of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Anti-Torture Act.

The Federal Government is prosecuting retired Maj-Gen Mohammed Ibrahim Gana; retired Navy Capt Erasmus Ochegobia Victor; police inspector Ahmed Ibrahim; Presidential Villa electrician Umoru Zekeri; Bukar Kashim Goni; and a Zaria-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abdulkadir Sani, on charges bordering on treason, terrorism and conspiracy to stage a coup.

At the previous proceedings, the court played a video recording in which Sani allegedly told investigators that he warned the suspected plotters that the coup plan “would fail” and that members of the group would eventually betray themselves.

Following objections by defence lawyers to the admissibility of the defendants’ statements, Justice Abdulmalik ordered a joint trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made.

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A faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has formally adopted him as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Kachikwu’s adoption was announced on Sunday during the faction’s national convention held at A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, where delegates also elected new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Chairman of the Electoral Committee and Benue State ADC chairman, Elias Adikwu, declared that delegates unanimously endorsed Kachikwu as the party’s sole candidate ahead of the next presidential election.

The newly elected National Chairman of the faction, Abdulkadir Mohammed Bashir, later presented the party’s flag to Kachikwu, describing him as the candidate entrusted with the responsibility of leading the party into the 2027 polls.

The convention also produced a new NWC for the faction, with several party officials emerging from different geopolitical zones.

Among those elected were Board of Trustees Chairman, Kingsley Oggah; Deputy National Chairman, Johnny Tovie Derek; National Secretary, Kennedy O. Odion; National Treasurer, Joe Aroh; National Financial Secretary, Amirigoye; National Legal Adviser, Chris Ugwu; National Organising Secretary, Elias Adikwu; and National Chief Whip, Patrick Ambut.

However, the latest development comes amid an escalating battle for control of the ADC following the emergence of another faction led by former Senate President David Mark.

Meanwhile, the Mark-led faction held its own national convention in Abuja on April 14, 2026, where delegates reportedly amended the party’s constitution and elected Mark as the substantive National Chairman of the ADC.

The convention, which attracted over 1,000 delegates, was attended by several high-profile opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, as part of an emerging coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

The camp had also expelled factional chairman Nafiu Bala, alongside Rep. Leke Abejide and other members over alleged anti-party activities and court actions linked to the party’s internal crisis.

Sunday’s convention by the Kachikwu faction is expected to intensify the struggle for legitimacy within the ADC as both camps continue to lay claim to the leadership structure of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared Alhaji Mustafa Sule-Lamido, son of former Jigawa governor, winner of the party’s ticket to contest the governorship seat in 2027.

Mr Isa Ahmed, the Returning Officer for the primary election held in Dutse, while affirming Sule-Lamido as the sole candidate on Sunday, said that his emergence had complied with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

Sule-Lamido, who was also the party’s governorship flagbearer in 2023, thanked the leadership of the party for the peaceful conduct of primaries across the state.

He congratulated other candidates of the PDP across the state, and pledged to promote unity in the fold.

He listed economic growth, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, social revival and institutional reform as priority areas, if elected.

“This moment is not new to me. In 2023, you entrusted me with this same irresponsibility and together we ran a campaign rooted in unity, hope, reform and promise of a better Jigawa.

“Though we did not secure victory then, we earned the confidence of hundreds of thousands of our people and laid a strong foundation.

“We are back in the race today because the problems and challenges bedeviling our dear state are still with us,” he said.

Sule-Lamido identified unprecedented hardship, bad governance and insensitive leadership as some of the challenges bedeviling the north-western state.

“We are not here to lament. We are here to fix the problems,” he declared.

He decried the declining standard of education in Jigawa, and regretted that expectations of the citizens had not been met by government.

He promised to rebuild Jigawa into a state that works for all, where leadership is accountable and resources managed responsibly.

“We also intend to build a state where  opportunities are accessible to every citizen,” he said.

He called on members of the party to unite and woo voters to ensure success in 2027.

“To the people of Jigawa, I hear you, I see you and I feel your pains; give me the opportunity to serve you,” Sule-Lamido said.