Former Sierra Leone President Returns Home After Charges Dropped

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma is back in his country after staying over two years in Nigeria. This followed the dropping of criminal charges against him.

Koroma left Nigeria for Freetown on Sunday.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan shared the news in a post on X.

He said, "This morning, I had the pleasure of seeing off my dear friend and brother, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, as he begins his journey home to Sierra Leone."

Jonathan continued, "Nigeria was his home away from home for over two years, and I am grateful we could offer friendship, support, and solidarity during that period."

He added, "Working quietly with others, we encouraged dialogue and engagement with the Sierra Leonean authorities to help create the conditions for his safe and dignified return. As we say farewell today, I am particularly happy that he is returning home to Freetown."

Koroma fled to Nigeria in January 2024. This was after a high court in Sierra Leone allowed him to leave for medical reasons, even though he faced treason charges.

He was accused of being involved in a failed military coup attempt in 2023 aimed at toppling the government of Julius Bio.

The former president, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, denied taking part in the November 2023 coup attempt. This incident included an attack on military barracks and a prison, where about 2,200 inmates were freed and over 20 people lost their lives.

The charges against him raised concerns about increasing tensions over the disputed 2023 election. President Julius Maada Bio won a second term in that election.

Koroma arrived on a presidential plane and was received by several Nigerian officials.

His lawyers have described the charges as "trumped up" and part of a political vendetta against him.

In July, Sierra Leone dropped the criminal charges against Koroma. This ended a high-profile treason case that had made him a focal point in a national security investigation.

The country’s Attorney-General, Alpha Sasay, released a public notice stating that the charges against Koroma had been discontinued. The matter was taken off the court’s schedule.

The notice also mentioned that Koroma’s bail conditions had ended immediately.

However, Mr Sasay did not explain why the case was dropped.