The supreme court in Niger, now under military control, has revoked the immunity of the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum, potentially leading to a trial almost a year after his deposition by rebellious soldiers.

Abdou Dan Galadima, head of the State Court, Niger's highest judiciary body formed by the military government last November, announced this decision on Friday.

The military regime initiated legal measures earlier this year, stating their intention to try Bazoum on charges of "high treason" and compromising national security.

Bazoum, currently under house arrest with his family, is accused of contacting French President Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by phone to rally Western support during the July 2023 coup.

There were two delays in court proceedings, with Bazoum's legal representatives citing numerous hindrances to his right to a defense. They have been unable to communicate with him since October last year.

Human Rights Watch has raised concerns about severe irregularities in the hearing, including breaches of Bazoum’s rights to present evidence, consult with his lawyers, and be tried by an independent judiciary.

Late last year, the top court of the West African regional group ECOWAS ruled that Bazoum and his family were being held unlawfully and called for their release and his reinstatement. Niger withdrew from the organization a month later.

Following Friday’s hearing, Ould Salem Mohamed, a lawyer representing Bazoum, acknowledged the court's decision and indicated that the defense team would issue a statement soon.

Before his ousting, Niger was a critical security ally for the West in the Sahel, a region south of the Sahara facing severe violence from armed groups. Bazoum, a former educator elected in 2021 during Niger's first peaceful transfer of power since 1960, was praised for his democratic values, providing a base for France and the US to conduct security operations against ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda-linked groups.

The military administration has since expelled French forces, and US troops have been directed to leave, with withdrawal formally underway.