HUMAN Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for the protection of the constitutional right to a fair hearing for military officers reportedly named in the alleged coup investigation. The rights group also expressed concern over what it described as the improper handling and suspected leakage of the investigation report to sections of the media.

In a statement signed yesterday by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel OnwubikoEmmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the circulation of detailed contents of the report was disturbing and posed serious questions about due process and national security.
HURIWA noted that reports on the alleged coup plot had largely been one-sided, lacking balance, objectivity and verification. According to the group, such reporting undermines professional journalism and turns the media into instruments of propaganda.

The association recalled that when news first emerged about a foiled coup, the Federal GovernmentFederal Government dismissed it as false. Weeks later, the Defence Headquarters confirmed that some officers were arrested and investigated over an alleged plot to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. HURIWA said the sudden publication of purported investigation details after this confirmation raised critical questions.

According to the statement, allegations relating to national security, especially an alleged coup, should be handled discreetly until formal judicial processes begin. HURIWA warned that the widespread circulation of the report had weakened public confidence in the investigation and created doubts about its credibility and intention.

HURIWA, therefore, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an investigation into how the report was leaked and to ensure those responsible were held accountable. It emphasised that every accused person was entitled to a fair hearing under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
HURIWA also argued that the way the report had been publicised made it difficult for the affected officers to enjoy this right, as they had already been judged in the court of public opinion. The association urged the authorities to move the matter to the courts, where the accused officers could defend themselves in line with the law.

THE Minister of Defence had said that the military officers arrested over the foiled coup “must have made up their minds” about the consequences.
The 16 implicated officers, including a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in October 2025, with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) issuing a public statement on October 4, initially citing “acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations”.

On January 26, the DHQ finally confirmed that there was a plot to oust President Bola Tinubu. The plot, which the military said was uncovered in late September 2025 through joint intelligence from the army, Department of State Services (DSS), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), allegedly involved plans to assassinate Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, and other top government figures, as well as arrest senior military leaders.
Speaking during an appearance on TRT World, a Turkish broadcaster, Musa said the accused persons would receive a fair trial, with access to legal counsel of their choice.

He said families of the alleged coup plotters would be looked after by the government.
“They must have made up their minds when they decided to do this and must have considered their families,” Musa said.
“But even at that, the government is ensuring that their families are treated fairly.
“Their family members are not left alone. The government is making sure that their wives and children are looked after.
“The perpetrators already know the repercussions of their action, and I’m sure they are ready to face the wrath.”