Niamey: Nigeria’s top court on Friday lifted President Mohammed Bazoum’s immunity, paving the way for his trial after he was ousted in a July 2023 military coup.
Abdou Dan Galadima, head of the court established by the new military regime in November, said: “The court ordered the lifting of Mohammed Bazoum’s immunity.”
Nigerian authorities accused Bazum of treason, financing terrorism and subverting the country.
He and his wife, Hadiza, have been living in the presidential compound since the July 26 coup.
After Friday’s hearing, Bazoum’s lawyer, Ould Salem Mohammed, said they were paying attention to the verdict and that the defense team would make a statement soon.
Bazoum is accused of calling French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to gain support for “armed intervention” during the coup.
Bazoum’s lawyers filed several objections to his right to defend, and the trial was adjourned twice.
In December, the West African bloc’s ECOWAS court ordered his immediate release.
Niger was eliminated from the regional group after a month.
