By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home after spending more than two years in Nigeria following his indictment over the country’s failed 2023 coup.
Koroma departed Nigeria on Sunday, September 6, after Sierra Leone dropped the treason proceedings against him in July, paving the way for his return to Freetown.
The former president had been living in Nigeria since January 2024 after Sierra Leonean authorities accused him of involvement in the November 2023 coup attempt.
The charges against Koroma included treason and other offences connected to the failed attempt to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio’s government.
His return followed diplomatic efforts involving Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States to resolve the matter and facilitate his safe return.
Koroma was accompanied on his journey by former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Koroma ruled Sierra Leone from 2007 until 2018 before handing over power to Bio after losing the 2018 presidential election.
His return marks the end of his prolonged stay in Nigeria and comes after the Sierra Leonean government formally discontinued the criminal proceedings against him.
