FORMER Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to his country after spending more than two years in Nigeria, following the withdrawal of treason charges against him over a failed 2023 coup attempt.
News Point Nigeria reports that Koroma departed Nigeria on Sunday morning for Freetown as diplomatic efforts involving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders paved the way for his safe and dignified return.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister said she accompanied Koroma to Sierra Leone on the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while former President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined the journey.
Koroma, who was president of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, was charged with treason in connection with a failed coup in November 2023.
A deal was later reportedly brokered by ECOWAS, allowing Koroma to relocate to Nigeria in return for efforts towards resolving the political issues surrounding the charges and his eventual return.
The former Sierra Leonean leader arrived in Nigeria in January 2024 and remained in the country for more than two years. He had initially been cleared to travel to Nigeria for medical treatment for three months but ended up staying beyond that period.
In July, the Sierra Leonean government said it had discontinued the criminal proceedings against the former president.
The office of the Attorney-General said the proceedings were no longer before the court and that Koroma was free to return to Sierra Leone.
On Friday, Vice-President Mohamed Jalloh said Koroma would return to the country in the spirit of peace and national cohesion.
In the statement issued by Eze, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders had contributed to resolving the issues that necessitated Koroma’s relocation.
“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She thanked President Julius Maada Bio, Koroma, and Sierra Leonean authorities for their cooperation and commitment to peace, adding that Nigeria remained committed to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability.
In a separate statement, former President Goodluck Jonathan said the discussions encouraged dialogue with the Sierra Leonean authorities and helped create the conditions for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.
Jonathan expressed happiness at Koroma’s return to Freetown and hoped that it would mark a moment of renewed hope and reconciliation for Sierra Leone.
Koroma’s return brings to a close more than two years of temporary relocation to Nigeria following the treason case, with Nigerian authorities describing the development as the successful conclusion of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.