Ex-Sierra Leone President Koroma returns from Nigeria after proceedings discontinued
Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to Freetown after spending more than two years in Nigeria. This came after criminal proceedings against him in a treason case were discontinued in Sierra Leone in July.
Koroma’s departure from Nigeria was announced by former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. In a post on X, he said that he had seen Koroma off on his journey home and that Nigeria had been his “second home” for more than two years. According to Jonathan, he and other parties facilitated dialogue with the Sierra Leonean authorities to create conditions for the former president’s safe and dignified return.
Treason charges
Koroma left for Nigeria in January 2024 after the High Court of Sierra Leone allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment despite the treason charges. He was accused of alleged involvement in a failed attempt to militarily overthrow President Julius Maada Bio’s government in 2023.
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Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, denied involvement in the attempted coup in November 2023. At that time, armed men attacked military barracks and a prison, freeing about 2,200 inmates. According to Premium Times Nigeria, more than 20 people were killed as a result of these events.
Proceedings discontinued
In July, Sierra Leone Attorney General Alpha Sesay announced that criminal proceedings against Koroma had been discontinued and that the case had been withdrawn from court consideration. The former president’s bail conditions were also immediately lifted. The attorney general did not explain the reasons for discontinuing the proceedings.
Koroma’s lawyers had previously called the charges against him fabricated and part of political revenge.
