By Timothy Olanrewaju
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - A Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court on Friday ordered the 'immediate and unconditional’ release of ousted Niger President Mohammed Bazoum.
The court ordered the reinstatement of Bazoum, who was overthrown July 26 by the military.
"It is Mohammed Bazoum who represents the State of Niger. He remains president of the Republic," it said.
Bazoum and his family have since been in custody at the Presidential Palace, despite demands for his release by the West African bloc and other nations.
Bazoum filed a suit before the ECOWAS court in September that challenged his overthrow, arrest and custody by military leaders. He demanded his release and reinstallation as president.
The regional court dismissed a case Dec. 8 by the military administration that sought to remove sanctions imposed on Niger by West African nations’ heads of state and governments.