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”.
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