Koroma departed Nigeria for Freetown on Sunday, September 6, about two and a half years after leaving Sierra Leone amid a treason case linked to an alleged attempt to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio’s government.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan announced Koroma’s departure in a post on X, expressing happiness over the former Sierra Leonean leader’s return home.
“This morning, I had the pleasure of seeing off my dear friend and brother, His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, as he begins his journey home to Sierra Leone,” Jonathan said.
He said Nigeria had served as Koroma’s “home away from home” for more than two years and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to offer him friendship, support and solidarity during the period.
Jonathan also said he and others had quietly encouraged dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities to create conditions for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.
Koroma travelled to Nigeria in January 2024 after a Sierra Leonean High Court granted him permission to leave the country on medical grounds despite facing treason charges.
He had been indicted over alleged involvement in a failed attempt to overthrow Bio’s government during unrest in November 2023. Koroma denied any involvement in the incident.
During the November 2023 unrest, armed men attacked military barracks and a prison, freeing about 2,200 inmates, while more than 20 people were killed.
The case unfolded amid political tensions following Sierra Leone’s disputed 2023 presidential election, in which Bio secured a second term.
Koroma’s lawyers rejected the allegations against him, describing the charges as “trumped up” and part of a political vendetta.
Sierra Leonean authorities discontinued the criminal proceedings against Koroma in July, bringing an end to the high-profile treason case.
In a public notice, Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General, Alpha Sasay, confirmed that the proceedings had been discontinued and the case removed from the court’s docket.
The notice also stated that Koroma’s bail conditions had ended with immediate effect. Sasay did not disclose the reason for the decision to discontinue the case.
Koroma served as President of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018.
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