The confrontation between Niger’s judiciary and the most outspoken members of its bar has entered a decisive phase. Fifteen days after being remanded in custody, lawyer Abdourahamane Lirwana appeared on Tuesday, October 6, before the Niamey High Court to answer the charges against him. When the hearings concluded, the prosecution requested a five-year prison sentence, along with a fine of five million CFA francs.
Online posts at the heart of the case
The proceedings stem from content the lawyer published on social media. Prosecutors accuse Lirwana of “disseminating data likely to disturb public order,” an offence severely punished under Niger’s cybercrime legislation. The charge carries heavy penalties, reflecting the authorities’ increasingly strict approach to online expression.
Tension in the courtroom as defence challenges impartiality
The hearing unfolded under extreme procedural strain. Twenty-four hours before it began, the team of lawyers defending the accused had petitioned the Court of State to have the case transferred, arguing that the Niamey court could not guarantee the independence required for a fair trial. The higher court dismissed the request, keeping the case in the capital.
A strategy of silence
Convinced that the rights of the defence were being blatantly trampled, Lirwana’s counsel made a drastic decision: they refused outright to plead. Following their instructions, the defendant remained completely silent when questioned by the presiding judge and the prosecutor.
Verdict reserved amid tight control of online speech
This refusal to cooperate did not halt the proceedings. Ignoring the absence of defence arguments, the court closed the debates and took the case under advisement. The final ruling, now eagerly awaited by legal circles and civil society, will determine the lawyer’s fate in a context of strict regulation of public expression on digital platforms.