Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma Returns Home After Treason Charges Dropped

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma returned to Freetown on Sunday after criminal proceedings against him were discontinued. Mr. Koroma, who served as president from 2007 to 2018, had spent more than two years in Nigeria. He originally traveled to Nigeria in January 2024 for medical treatment, though he remained there for over two years.

Mr. Koroma had been indicted for his alleged role in a November 2023 failed military attempt to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio. The coup attempt involved attacks on military barracks and a prison, resulting in more than 20 deaths and the release of approximately 2,200 inmates. Mr. Koroma denied involvement in the plot, and his lawyers described the charges as a political vendetta. Attorney General Alpha Sasay announced in July that the proceedings were discontinued and removed from the court docket, though he did not provide a reason for the decision.

Upon his arrival in Freetown, Mr. Koroma was welcomed by Sierra Leonean Foreign Minister Mohamed Rahman Swarray and officials from the opposition All People's Congress. He was accompanied by Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan also shared a post on X stating that he saw off Mr. Koroma and noted that he had worked with others to encourage dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities to ensure a safe return.