By Kingston Magare 11.5.2026
The Federal Ministry of Justice Monday received unwanted visitors who came to protest the secret trial of military officers allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
Entrance into the offices of the ministry were blocked by family members and sympathisers of the military officers and chanted solidarity songs as they raised placards bearing: “Tinubu Release Our Heroes,” “Lt Col C Chima 419 Witness,” and “AGF, Stop the Kangaroo Court Martial Now.”
However, security agents on duty prevented the gathering from escalating into violence.
Criticism has trailed the trial of the alleged coup plotters with prosecutors opting for a secret trial for some of the accused. Journalists were escorted out last week much to the chagrin of Nigerians who wanted to know more details about the alleged coup.
“Many of the people who turned out today are relatives of our heroes. Some of them came from Jos, Kano, and Sokoto to protest the continued detention of the alleged coup suspects who are our fathers, uncles, and brothers,” Justice Isimili who spoke on behalf of the protesters said.
“We want an open trial instead of what they are doing in the name of court martial, where family members, journalists, and the public are denied access to the court proceedings. All we are interested in is their freedom,” he added.
Another protester, Abdullahi Kale, who claimed he travelled from Sokoto for the demonstration, alleged that the continued detention of the suspects was creating the impression that northern military officers were being targeted.
“No freedom, no second term. If the President and the AGF fail to release them, we will mobilise the north against Tinubu’s re-election,” he threatened.