Ex-Sierra Leone President Koroma Returns Home After Treason Case Ends

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, has returned to Freetown after spending more than two years in Nigeria, following the withdrawal of treason charges filed against him.

Koroma left Nigeria on Sunday morning in the company of former Nigerian Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

The former Sierra Leonean president governed the country from 2007 to 2018. He faced treason charges over an unsuccessful coup attempt that occurred in November 2023.

Following the incident, an agreement was reportedly reached under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The arrangement allowed Koroma to relocate to Nigeria while proceedings against him were discontinued.

Koroma arrived in Nigeria in January 2024 and remained in the country until his return on Sunday.

The Sierra Leonean government announced in July that it had ended the criminal proceedings against the former president.

The office of the Attorney-General said the case was no longer before the court and confirmed that Koroma was free to return to Sierra Leone.

Vice-President Mohamed Jalloh also announced on Friday that Koroma would return to Sierra Leone as part of efforts to promote peace and national cohesion.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Magnus Eze, media aide to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister said negotiations involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders had helped resolve the issues that led to Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria.

“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

The minister expressed appreciation to President Julius Bio, Koroma and the Sierra Leonean authorities for their cooperation and commitment to peace.

Jonathan also issued a separate statement in which he said discussions had promoted dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities and helped establish the conditions required for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.

The former Nigerian president said he was pleased that Koroma had returned to Freetown and expressed hope that the development would usher in a period of renewed hope and reconciliation in Sierra Leone.