AYV News, August 15, 2024

At the United Nations Security Council, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio vowed to bring ex-President Koroma, accused of involving in November 2023 failed coup, to Justice.

The allegations against Koroma have sparked significant controversy, with the former leader currently residing in Nigeria, raising concerns about his potential return to face justice.

The issue of Koroma’s whereabouts and his alleged role in the coup plot has been a topic of intense debate both within Sierra Leone and the international community. President Bio, addressing the situation head-on, confirmed that Koroma remains in Nigeria and assured that the Sierra Leonean government is committed to ensuring that justice is served.

President Bio said: “President Koroma is currently in Nigeria, and all necessary steps to make sure that justice is served as far as everybody that is concerned in the alleged coup plot will be enforced”.

His words underline the administration’s determination to see the case through, despite the complexities involved in bringing a former head of state to trial.

Ernest Bai Koroma, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, is facing a serious legal battle, with charges that include treason, misprision of treason, and harboring, all connected to the attempted overthrow of President Julius Maada Bio’s government on November 26, 2023.

Earlier this year, Koroma, citing urgent medical needs, sought permission to leave Sierra Leone for treatment in Nigeria. On January 17, his legal team successfully argued for a ninety-day allowance for Koroma to receive the necessary medical care abroad. The court granted this request, allowing him to depart Sierra Leone under the condition that he would return to face trial at the conclusion of his treatment.

The charges against Koroma are severe, and if found guilty, he could face significant penalties, including a lengthy prison sentence or even more severe consequences.