Court-Martial President Warns Defence Lawyers Not to 'Weaponise' Protest in Coup Trial

So the General Court-Martial trying the 36 military officers over the alleged plot against Tinubu's government just told the defence lawyers to stop 'weaponising' the right to protest. Air Vice Marshal H. I. Alhaji, who is presiding, said he cannot imagine a Senior Advocate of Nigeria or a senior military officer joining a protest. He literally said, "And I urge you not to weaponize the right to protest. Please. I cannot imagine seeing a senior advocate of Nigeria protesting."

Now, this is the same government that has been clamping down on protests since last year's #EndBadGovernance. So when the court is telling defence lawyers to be 'diplomatic' and not protest, it is basically saying: your clients are accused of coup plotting, so you better not draw attention or mobilise public sympathy. Meanwhile, the defence lawyer also begged the court to allow the accused officers to see their families, saying the denial is causing 'psychological turmoil' on them. The lawyer said, "Yes, I know they are facing serious charges. And also, being denied access to members of their family constitutes another psychological turmoil on them."

So here is the thing. 36 men are in detention, facing what could be life sentences or worse, and the court is more worried about lawyers holding placards than about the welfare of the accused. The government says it is providing for them in detention, but family access is not a luxury, it is a basic human need. If these men are innocent until proven guilty, why treat them like animals? This trial is being watched closely, and the way the court is handling it raises serious questions about fairness. Are we really supposed to believe justice will be served when the court is already telling lawyers to tone down their defence?