An international group, Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA) has filed a case against Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to the bloc’s court, seeking to stop the planned military invasion of Niger Republic.
The case, filed by a Nigerian lawyer, Dr Oluwakayode Ajulo, on behalf of the group, argues that the planned invasion violates ECOWAS treaties and international law. The group is asking the regional court to issue an injunction to prevent the invasion from taking place.
The plaintiffs in the suit marked ECW/CCJ/APP/3/23, include not only EMA, but also former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Internal Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa, and Nigerian Northern Region lawyer, Hamza Nuhu Dantani.
The defendants include ECOWAS, the heads of the ECOWAS Mission, the President of the ECOWAS Mission, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Republic of Niger.
The lawsuit highlights the ECOWAS treaties that prohibit aggression among member states, and argues that the planned military invasion of Niger Republic by ECOWAS would violate these treaties.
A military group led by Gen. Abdourhamane Tchiani had on July 26 toppled the civilian and democratic government of President Mohammed Bazoun who has since been clamped into unlawful military detention.
In response to the military coup, the ECOWAS bloc had issued an ultimatum to the coupists, giving them seven days to reinstate President Bazoum or face possible sanctions, including military action.
However, the coupists have refused to back down, and instead threatened to resist any foreign intervention in the country.
This has left the bloc scrambling to find a way forward, with a meeting scheduled for Thursday to review the situation and develop a new strategy. Meanwhile, President Tinubu has vowed to do everything possible to restore President Bazoum to power.
