Niger’s top court has lifted the immunity of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, setting the stage for a possible trial following his removal in a July 2023 military coup.
“The court orders the lifting of Mohamed Bazoum’s immunity,” announced Abdou Dan Galadima, the court president, which was established by the new military regime in November.
Bazoum faces accusations of treason, financing terrorism, and plotting against the state. Since the coup on July 26, he has been detained at the presidential residence along with his wife, Hadiza.
Following Friday’s decision, Bazoum’s lawyer, Ould Salem Mohamed, acknowledged the ruling and indicated that the defense team would issue a statement soon.
The charges against Bazoum include allegations of seeking armed intervention support from French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the coup.
The court hearing had been delayed twice, with Bazoum’s legal team citing multiple hindrances to mounting a defense. In December, the ECOWAS court demanded Bazoum’s immediate release, but Niger withdrew from the regional bloc a month later.
