Ex-Sierra Leone president returns home from Nigeria after treason case is dropped

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home after more than two years in Nigeria, following the withdrawal of the treason case that had kept him in exile.

Koroma left Nigeria for Freetown on Sunday. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan announced his departure, saying he had seen off his “dear friend and brother” and was pleased that Koroma was returning safely and with dignity.

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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.

“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,” Jonathan said. He added that Nigeria had been Koroma's “home away from home” for more than two years and had offered him friendship, support and solidarity.

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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.

Koroma travelled to Nigeria in January 2024 after Sierra Leone's High Court allowed him to leave on medical grounds despite treason charges. Prosecutors had accused him of involvement in a failed military attempt to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio in November 2023. Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, denied involvement.

The attempted coup involved attacks on military barracks and a prison. About 2,200 inmates were freed, and more than 20 people died. Koroma's lawyers called the charges “trumped up” and part of a political vendetta.

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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.

Sierra Leone discontinued the proceedings in July. Attorney General Alpha Sasay said in a public notice that the case had been removed from the court docket and Koroma's bail conditions had ended immediately. He did not explain why the case was dropped.

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trumped up