Falana to FG: Be honest with Nigerians, address arrest of alleged coup plotters

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has asked the federal government to be open with Nigerians regarding reports of an alleged coup attempt in the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Wednesday, Falana said the government has yet to provide a clear response to reports of arrests linked to the alleged plot.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) added that transparency would enable the government to gain public trust and support in the fight against anti-democratic elements.

“You know, a lot of conspiracy theories are going on, and as a lawyer, I can only speak of what I know that are within the public domain,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, the government is making more money on the sale of oil. Apart from removal of fuel subsidy, the government has also been able to increase oil production in our country.

“For the majority of our people, they remain economically disabled. And when people are planning a coup, they take advantage of mass anger in the land to strike.

“Government has said there was no attempt to coup. As far as I’m concerned, the government has to come up very soon, because it has not been able to dismiss reports of arrest of the alleged coup plotters.

“The government has to be more honest with Nigerians if this happened. If it was going to happen. The government must come up.”

Responding to suggestions that the matter was a sensitive security issue, Falana insisted that details of the arrests were already circulating publicly, confirming that the arrests had indeed occurred.

“No, arrests have been made. This is being reported. So at the time it was denied, the government was still trying to pick up, arrests have not been made. Information has leaked out,” he said.

“So the government must be honest with Nigerians and react to those reports one way or the other. And there is a way you wish you also mobilise Nigerians, if you are honest with them, to fight anti-democratic forces.

“The government must go back to the drawing table. Who could have led it having listened to those who have been arrested? One way or the other, address the problems.”

Falana added that the government must address insecurity and ensure the protection of all Nigerians under the constitution.

REPORTED ARREST

Military authorities have continued to make arrests after preliminary interrogating 16 of the suspects who were seized in the first week of October over the botched plot.

Earlier reports indicated that 18 officers were to be arrested, but two escaped and are now believed to have fled the country.

The report also said that some of the arrested suspects have made “useful statements” to the authorities.

It added that the information extracted has helped secure more arrests, with a source estimating that over 30 officers are now in custody.

Contrary to widespread reports, the coup was not to be executed on October 1, as arrests were only made in the first week of the month.

Military authorities have yet to officially confirm the coup plot.

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the ongoing investigation of 16 officers is a “routine internal process aimed at ensuring [that] discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks”.