Corruption charges against Niger's former president Mamadou Tandja have been dropped and he will be freed later on Tuesday, his lawyer said after a court session in the capital. Tandja ruled the uranium-rich, semi-arid West African nation from 1999 until he was ousted by a military coup in 2010 when he tried tamper with the constitution to extend his stay in power. Tandja had always denied the charges and had been detained by the military junta since February last year. The Niamey court of appeal ordered Tandja's release, his lawyer Souley Oumarou told reporters. "President Tandja will regain his home and family with his head held high because all proceedings brought against him have been cancelled," he said. Tandja was moved to prison from house arrest in January, after the ruling military junta charged him with graft during his rule, according judicial sources. The junta alleged that an investigation had revealed at least $128 million was stolen from the country's coffers during Tandja's 10 years in office.
