Coup Plot Case: Falana Says Military Court Trial Is Unconstitutional

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has described the planned trial of 36 alleged coup plotters before a military court as unconstitutional, urging the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to immediately intervene and halt the proceedings.

Falana argued that the case should not be handled by a General Court Martial, insisting that the officers must instead be arraigned before the Federal High Court, which he said has exclusive jurisdiction over offences such as treason, treasonable felony, and terrorism.

In a detailed statement, Falana called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to invoke his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to discontinue what he described as an “illegal charge” before the military tribunal. He maintained that after stopping the military proceedings, the accused officers should be formally charged at the Federal High Court in line with constitutional requirements.

Falana further argued that under Section 251 of the Constitution, only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to try offences relating to treason and similar security-related crimes. He said the current arrangement, where some suspects are allegedly facing trial in civilian court while others are being tried in a military court for the same offence, violates the principle of equality before the law.

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The senior advocate also questioned the legal competence of a General Court Martial to handle offences of treason under Nigeria’s democratic framework. He noted that even during military rule, coup-related offences were not typically handled by courts-martial but by special tribunals, reinforcing his argument that such cases fall outside military disciplinary jurisdiction.

Falana stressed that since the return to democratic governance in 1999, all treason and anti-democratic offences must be prosecuted exclusively in civilian courts, particularly the Federal High Court. He warned that any attempt to bypass this constitutional arrangement could amount to a breach of the rule of law and undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Reports indicate that about 36 military officers are being investigated over an alleged coup plot, with authorities reportedly considering both military disciplinary action and civilian prosecution. While official details remain limited, the matter has been described as a serious national security investigation currently under review by relevant authorities.

The Nigerian military has yet to respond publicly to Falana’s latest remarks, but has previously stated that internal disciplinary procedures are ongoing in accordance with military regulations. Legal observers say the controversy highlights ongoing debates over the boundary between military justice and civilian judicial authority in handling sensitive security cases in Nigeria.

Coup Plot Case: Falana Says Military Court Trial Is Unconstitutional

“You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

Media personality Daddy Freeze has reacted strongly to comments made by Nollywood actor Yul Edochie after he mocked broadcaster Roby Ekpo over his emotional breakdown while discussing his failed marriage.

The controversy started after Roby Ekpo appeared on a podcast where he became emotional while speaking about his marital crisis and separation from his ex-wife. The interview sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians divided over whether men should openly express emotional pain in public.

Reacting on X, Yul Edochie criticised Ekpo for crying during the interview, arguing that men should not display such emotions over a relationship. He went further to suggest that instead of mourning a breakup, a man should “move on” by taking multiple wives and getting them pregnant at once.

His comments immediately triggered backlash, with many social media users accusing him of being insensitive and promoting unhealthy views about relationships and masculinity.

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In response, Daddy Freeze released a video where he questioned Yul’s reasoning, describing his remarks as illogical and insensitive. Speaking partly in Pidgin English, he mocked the actor’s suggestion about polygamy and childbearing, saying it was unrealistic and out of touch with reality.

He also criticised the idea that men should be shamed for showing emotion, arguing that public figures should be more thoughtful when discussing sensitive personal struggles like divorce and heartbreak.

Daddy Freeze’s reaction has intensified the online debate, with users now split between those supporting emotional openness for men and others defending Yul’s belief that men should handle relationship issues privately.

The exchange has continued to trend across social media platforms, with many also referencing both men’s previous public statements and controversies as part of the wider conversation on masculinity and mental health.

“You’re Not Sensible” — Daddy Freeze Fires at Yul Edochie in Viral Row

Ruto Sparks Outrage Over Comments on Nigerian English Accent

Kenyan President William Ruto is facing a wave of criticism across Africa after comments suggesting that Nigerians speaking English are difficult to understand and may require a “translator”.

The remarks were made during a diaspora engagement event with Kenyans living in Italy, where the president praised Kenya’s education system and highlighted what he described as strong English language proficiency in Kenya.

“If you listen to a Nigerian speaking, you don’t know what they are saying — you need a translator,” Ruto said, adding that Kenyans speak “some of the best English in the world.”

The statement immediately triggered a social media backlash, with many users across Nigeria and other African countries accusing the Kenyan leader of being disrespectful and reinforcing stereotypes about African accents and identity.

The controversy sparked wider discussions about the role of English as a colonial language in Africa, with critics arguing that fluency or accent should not be used as a measure of intelligence or national progress. Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said English should not be tied to ability or development, stressing that it is a colonial inheritance rather than a cultural standard of superiority.

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The incident also reignited long-standing Nigeria–Kenya online debates, where users often clash over politics, economy, sports, and cultural identity. Nigeria’s English usage is shaped by its linguistic diversity, with more than 500 local languages influencing accent, tone, and expression. Kenya also has multiple language groups, including Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic influences, which shape its English variation.

Social media users defended Nigerian speech patterns, arguing that differences in accent do not affect communication clarity or intellectual ability. Former Nigerian senator Shehu Sani also reacted, referencing Nigeria’s global literary contributions, including Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and writers Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Some critics urged the Kenyan president to shift attention to pressing domestic challenges such as cost of living, unemployment, and economic development, rather than comments seen as fueling online controversy. Others described the remarks as part of recurring political social media tensions between African nations, often amplified on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

While the comments drew widespread condemnation, some Kenyans defended Ruto, arguing that his statement was either misinterpreted or intended as light-hearted commentary during the engagement. There has been no official clarification from the Kenyan presidency regarding the remarks as of the time of reporting.

Analysts say the incident reflects how accent politics, language perception, and digital nationalism continue to shape online interactions among African countries.

Ruto Sparks Outrage Over Comments on Nigerian English Accent