West African court dismisses Niger's military case seeking to lift sanctions

​​​​​​​By Timothy Olanrewaju

ABUJA, Nigeria (AA) - A West African court dismissed a case Thursday by the military administration in Niger which sought to lift sanctions on the country by a regional bloc following the July 26 overthrow of the government.

The court in Abuja ruled that the military government in Nigeria is not a recognized institution.

It maintained the military government has no legal right to challenge the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc which slammed various economic sanctions on the country

"The military junta is not a recognized government and is not a member of the ECOWAS state and therefore lacks the locus to institute this action," Justice Dupe Atoki said in the ruling.

The transitional government in Nigeria had asked the court to order ECOWAS to lift sanctions imposed in the aftermath of the coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum.

The regional bloc had in July directed all member states to cut trade with Niger.

ECOWAS Chairman and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also announced a cut in the power supply to the Sahel nation. Nigeria supplied 70% of Niger's energy.