Ahmad 
Lawyers for ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum have asked the country’s highest court to postpone the hearing to lift his immunity.
Lawyer Moussa Coulibaly, who filed the postponement, confirmed that the reason for the request was that Bazoum “was not properly notified of the ongoing proceedings” and that he “was unable to communicate freely” with his lawyer.
“By not ensuring compliance with this principle, your court is dangerously ignoring the rights of the defense,” Coulibaly said, adding that “in the event of a court decision that violates all expectations of lifting immunity, it will not only have allowed the cover-up of the criminals, but will also whitewash the events of July 26, 2023,” referring to the military coup against Bazoum.
The lawyers sent a letter refusing to call their client, who has not resigned from office and has been detained with his wife since his ouster as “former president”.
The State Court, established by the junta last November, must rule on May 10, 2024, in the case of lifting Bazoum’s presidential immunity.
On Friday, Hinda Bazoum, the daughter of the ousted president, accused his predecessor, Muhammadu Iyoussoufou, of being the “mastermind” of the military coup that toppled her father.
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