Magistrate Santigie Bangura of a Sierra Leone court has issued a directive to the legal team representing former President Ernest Bai Koroma, demanding a fresh medical report showcasing his health progress.
This decision, announced on Wednesday, raises significant concerns over Koroma’s continued absence from court proceedings, despite being granted bail on medical grounds back in January.
Koroma, who helmed Sierra Leone’s presidency from 2007 to 2018, currently faces a slew of charges, including treason, misprision of treason, and harboring, stemming from his alleged involvement in the 2023 overthrow of President Julius Maada Bio’s government.
Initially granted permission to seek urgent medical treatment in Nigeria on January 17, Koroma’s absence from today’s court appearance has further fueled speculation and drawn attention to his health status.
The court has now postponed the case until March 27, 2024, pending the submission of an updated medical report by Koroma’s legal representatives, leaving many questioning the trajectory of this high-profile trial.
