Nairobi/Niamey - Niger's parliament has lifted the parliamentary immunity of former prime minister Hama Amadou so that he can face charges of corruption, reports said Tuesday. The BBC said that MPs in the West African nation overwhelmingly approved the decision, meaning Amadou is now likely to appear in the High Court charged with embezzling over 200 million dollars.
The former premier, who was in power for seven years, denies any wrongdoing and says the charges are part of a smear campaign to stop him standing for president in 2009.
Amadou resigned as prime minister last year following a no- confidence vote over allegations he embezzled 9 million dollars of European Union funds.
However, he remains in charge of the governing party.
