Nigeria, March 15 -- The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) court on Monday ruled that the arrest and detention of a Venezuelan diplomat, Alex Saab, by Cape Verde was illegal.

It also said the diplomat should be released and be paid $200,000 for unlawful detention.

Mr Saab was arrested by the Cape Verdean authorities in June 2020 for alleged money laundering while on a humanitarian special mission to Iran.

Femi Falana, counsel to Mr Saab, had filed a suit in the court challenging the arbitrary arrest and detention of the Venezuelan diplomat.

He argued that as a diplomat, Mr Saab should have enjoyed diplomatic immunity and not be subjected to imprisonment and legal proceedings by Cape Verde.

Mr Falana asked the court t...