Niger allows parliament chief's arrest in baby-trafficking case

Parliamentary leaders in Niger agreed on Wednesday to authorize the arrest of the legislature's president, a key opposition leader, on suspicions he was involved in a baby-trafficking network.           

Seventeen people, including the wives of several senior politicians, were arrested in June by police investigating allegations they acquired new-born babies from "baby factories" in neighboring Nigeria.              

The second wife of parliament speaker Hama Amadou, a former ally turned political rival of President Mahamadou Issoufou, was among those detained in the affair.              

Political tensions have risen in Niger since last year when Amadou, who had been part of Issoufou's coalition, fell out with the president. Issoufou's government has accused Amadou and his Nigerien Democratic Movement (MODEN) party of trying to incite a military coup in the uranium-exporting, West African nation.             

The government introduced a request with parliament leaders on Tuesday, asking that they allow him to be arrested. Members of parliament in Niger enjoy immunity from prosecution.               

"We have authorized the judicial authorities to question and arrest the deputy Hama Amadou," said Daouda Malam Barte, the vice president of the National Assembly.           

"It is not with a light heart that we have decided this. But the government has itself handed over one of its ministers this weekend. There is a separation of power in Niger."              

Agriculture Minister Abdou Labo, one of the most senior figures in the Niger government, was arrested on Saturday over his suspected involvement in the alleged trafficking ring.           

The decision to allow Amadou's arrest was taken by the members of the parliamentary leadership. Amadou did not attend the meeting.             

Amadou has said the investigation is politically motivated, and his allies in the National Assembly criticized Wednesday's decision.                

"The constitution has been violated. A deputy cannot be arrested without his parliamentary immunity being lifted and that is done in a full session of the National Assembly," said Tidjani Abdoulkader, a leader of the opposition in parliament.


REUTERS