The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, has called on the Nigerian government and military authorities to ensure a fair and transparent trial for soldiers accused of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
Sanusi said Amnesty International was deeply concerned by reports alleging that some of the suspects had been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
In an interview with DCL Hausa, Sanusi stressed that the accused soldiers remain suspects and should be presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.
“The Nigerian government has to make sure that there is a fair trial. And we are deeply concerned by reports we have been receiving about allegations of torture and ill-treatment of the suspects.”
Sanusi said the seriousness of the allegations should not be used as justification for denying the accused their fundamental rights.
“They are still suspects, no matter the size or the magnitude of the offence they are accused of committing. It is still an accusation, they are still allegations, and the due process of law has to be allowed to take its course.”
He called on the military authorities to ensure that the accused soldiers are not subjected to torture and are given access to their families and legal representatives.
Sanusi said Amnesty International had deliberately remained silent since the case began because it did not want to interfere with legal proceedings or intervene in matters where it had no standing.
However, he said the organisation became involved after receiving what he described as serious allegations of torture, denial of access to family members and denial of medical care.
“As a human rights organisation, our responsibility is to make sure that the law is followed and due process is observed.”
He maintained that, regardless of the seriousness of the alleged offence, no crime should be used as a justification to deny anyone their fundamental human rights.
According to him, Amnesty International is also concerned about what he described as an apparent “media trial” taking place alongside the court proceedings.
Sanusi alleged that the media coverage surrounding the case appeared intense and organised, raising concerns that it could influence public opinion against the suspects before the court determines their guilt or innocence.
“While the trial is going on in the courts, unfortunately, a media trial is also going on.”
He further maintained that the families of the accused have a right to access their relatives, regardless of the allegations against them.
Sanusi reiterated Amnesty International’s position that the Nigerian government must respect the fundamental rights of the suspects and allow the legal process to determine the outcome of the case.
Alleged Coup: Amnesty raises alarm over alleged torture of suspects, denial of family access