Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 29, 2026 — Authorities and the All People’s Congress (APC) have strongly condemned a forged press release falsely announcing the death of former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, describing it as a malicious and “despicable” hoax designed to sow panic, grief, and political instability.
The counterfeit document, dated April 28, 2026, was crafted to mimic an official statement from the APC National Secretariat. It claimed that the 72-year-old former leader had died that day at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, and even included the party’s letterhead along with fake signatures of senior officials. However, the announcement was swiftly debunked as a complete fabrication.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma is alive and well. No credible news outlet, government statement, official APC communication, or family member has confirmed any illness or tragedy involving him. Multiple sources close to the former president and the party have confirmed he is safe and healthy.
This is not the first time fake death rumors have targeted prominent Sierra Leonean political figures, including Koroma in previous years. The latest forgery appears intended to exploit the rapid spread of information on social media and messaging platforms (particularly WhatsApp) to cause emotional distress to Koroma’s family, APC supporters nationwide and in the diaspora, and the general public.
Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma served as Sierra Leone’s President from 2007 to 2018. Born on October 2, 1953, in Makeni, he led the APC to two successive electoral victories and remains a highly influential figure in the opposition party. In recent years, he has faced legal proceedings related to events following the 2023 general elections, including treason charges, while also receiving medical attention abroad.
Political stakeholders, citizens across party lines, and observers have denounced the act as not only cruel and unethical but potentially dangerous in a politically sensitive environment. Such hoaxes erode public trust, trivialize genuine national mourning when it occurs, and undermine democratic discourse at a time when Sierra Leone continues to focus on stability and national unity.
Calls are growing for:
– Immediate removal of the forged document from all social media platforms and messaging groups.
– A clear, official rebuttal from the APC leadership and government authorities.
– A thorough investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrator(s) under Sierra Leone’s cybercrime and defamation laws.
“This kind of forgery is beneath us as a nation,” many have stated, emphasizing that the hoax reveals far more about the character of its creator than about the former president.
As of April 29, 2026, the origin of the fake press release remains unknown. Sierra Leoneans are strongly advised to verify any breaking news concerning public figures only through official and reputable sources.
