Sierra Leone’s ex-President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has embarked on a journey to Nigeria today, January 19, 2024, amidst legal challenges related to treason charges.
Speculation arises about a government and West African leaders’ brokered deal for Koroma’s exile in Nigeria, despite a court appearance scheduled for March.
Facing treason charges linked to a failed coup in November against President Julius Maada Bio’s government, the 70-year-old departs amid controversy.
Gunmen stormed military barracks and prisons during the unsuccessful coup, resulting in inmate releases and the death of at least 20 people.
Despite ruling Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, Koroma vehemently denies any involvement.
President Bio, in a Thursday night address to the nation, emphasizes that granting medical leave to the former President doesn’t exempt him from legal proceedings.
President Bio asserts, “This humanitarian gesture does not detract from the seriousness of the ongoing trials.” He emphasizes that the trial aims to uncover the truth behind the November 26, 2023, events, stating, “It reinforces our position that the trial is not a political witch-hunt but one aimed at unraveling the truth.”
Meanwhile, anonymous sources from the United Nations and Ecowas told the BBC that Ecowas had brokered a deal for Mr Koroma to go into exile in Nigeria if the charges were dropped.
All I am saying that if enest try to bring war on us here in Sierra Leone God will not take easy with him the wrath God will fall on him for one thing I know if enest bai koroma has maintain respect or better still if he loves this nation for real as a citizen of Sierra Leone I think he was supposed to join hands with present President to develop the country because he has money he didn’t do it rather he engage in support street boys to distebiliz the peace of the country if he try anything funny he regret the he was born that all I have to say