Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has yesterday appeared before His Worship Magistrate Santigie I. S Bangura of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 for the start of preliminary investigations into a-four-count charge including Treason, Misprision of Treason and Harbouring contrary to Law.
The State alleges that former President Ernest Bai Koroma on diverse dates between the 5th of November 2023 and the 26th day of November 2023 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
At the start of the investigations, the charges were read to the former President and no plea was taken.
The defence team of the former President led by Lawyer Joseph Fit-Gerald Kamara submitted to the Court an order of the High Court given by the Honourable Justice Samuel O. Taylor (JA) granting bail to the accused.
The application for bail was made before the High Court pursuant to section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965, Act No. 32 of 1965 and in accordance with the Bail Regulation of 2018 for and on behalf of the former President by Lawyer A. S. Sesay, witnessed by Lawyer A. V. Koroma from the Prosecution.
In granting the bail application, Honourable Justice Taylor ordered that a maximum of 10 people including his wife, children, lawyers and members of his political party are allowed to live at his residence.
He also ordered that the former President should not leave his premises without the express permission of the Inspector General of Police, adding that only the National Chairman and the Deputy of his political party are allowed to visit him.
Added to the bail conditions, Justice Taylor ordered the former President to provide two sureties who are senior citizens resident in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone and that all visits to his residence should be permitted by the Inspector General of Police.
The matter has been adjourned to the 17th January 2024.
