Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma is returning to Freetown this weekend following more than two years in Nigeria. His homecoming comes after judicial authorities and the country’s justice ministry dropped treason and other criminal charges stemming from a deadly 2023 coup attempt.
More than two years after relocating to Nigeria, former Sierra Leone president Ernest Bai Koroma is headed home. Sierra Leonean Vice President Mohamed Jukdeh Jalloh announced the homecoming during a gathering of local leaders and residents Friday in Koroma’s stronghold, the central city of Makeni. In the spirit of peace and national cohesion, the former president Dr Ernest Bai Koroma will return to the country this weekend,
Jalloh said in a video on Facebook.
The return marks the formal closure of a turbulent chapter that began when armed attackers stormed a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations in November 2023, clashing with security forces. The ensuing clashes killed 21 people and allowed hundreds of prisoners to escape before authorities regained control after what they deemed a coup attempt. Although Koroma consistently denied any involvement in the November 2023 attempted coup when gunmen broke into a military armoury and several prisons, freeing almost 2,000 inmates, authorities charged him with treason and related offences in January 2024.
Two dozen soldiers and Koroma’s former bodyguard were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 50 to 100 years by a military court for their alleged roles in the mutiny. Eleven civilians and 24 soldiers were found guilty of involvement in the coup attempt and received long prison terms in 2024. Around 20 people were killed in the uprising, which came five months after a disputed election which saw President Bio narrowly re-elected for a second term, the results of which were rejected by Koroma’s All People’s Congress. At least 80 people were arrested in connection with the clashes, most of them military personnel.
Diplomatic Intervention and the Exile in Nigeria
Following his arrest and initial placement under house arrest, regional diplomacy intervened. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) brokered a deal with the government of Sierra Leone allowing the former president to go into exile in Nigeria and seek medical attention there. Judicial authorities cleared him to remain in Nigeria for three months for medical treatment, but he ended up staying more than two years, relocating to Nigeria in January 2024 following engagements by ECOWAS aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone. Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan saw off the departing former leader, describing him as a dear friend and brother
and noting that Nigeria had served as his home away from home
during his stay, while expressing gratitude for the opportunity to provide friendship, support and solidarity to the former Sierra Leonean leader. Jonathan said he and others had quietly encouraged dialogue and engagement with the Sierra Leonean authorities to help create conditions for Koroma’s safe and dignified return. As we say farewell today, I am particularly happy that he is returning home to Freetown,
Jonathan said, wishing Koroma a safe journey and peace of mind as he begins what he described as a new chapter. May your return be a moment of renewed hope and reconciliation for you, your family and the people of Sierra Leone,
he added. Safe travels, my brother. Sierra Leone welcomes you home,
Jonathan said. The Nigerian government dispatched senior officials to accompany Koroma on his journey back to Freetown. Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied Koroma to Freetown on the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined the Minister to accompany Koroma back to Freetown. The statement which was signed by Dr. Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, office of the minister of Foreign Affairs, said his return marked the successful conclusion of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process. According to the minister, the process helped create conditions for greater understanding between President Julius Maada Bio and the former president, paving the way for Koroma’s temporary stay in Nigeria. His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said. The minister noted that during his stay in Nigeria, sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders contributed to resolving issues that had necessitated his relocation, while expressing appreciation to President Bio, former President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation and commitment to peace. Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria remained committed to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability, expressing confidence that Koroma’s return would further strengthen national reconciliation and peace in Sierra Leone.
Legal Cleared Path and National Reconciliation
The legal barriers to Koroma’s return dissolved in July when Sierra Leone’s justice ministry said it had dropped the charges against him, without giving a reason. A statement from the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice stated that it had filed a notice to discontinue the criminal proceedings
against Koroma. While no explanation was given for the dropped charges, political insiders believe the government is aiming to promote national unity. Information Minister Chernor Bah told the BBC that the charges had been dropped on health grounds, and the attorney general had then filed to discontinue the case against Koroma and drop the charges.
Information Minister Chernor Bah confirmed that with the case dismissed, the 72-year-old former leader faced no remaining legal obstacles. The former president is therefore free to return to Sierra Leone at a time of his choosing and to go about his normal business,
he added. Koroma noted his enduring conviction that peace, justice and reconciliation must always triumph over adversity.
In his statement on Tuesday, Koroma also expressed gratitude towards Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the West African regional bloc Ecowas for their support. His return follows a brief visit to Freetown in July, after the charges were dropped, during a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the invitation of current President Julius Maada Bio.
Political Stakes Ahead of 2028 Elections
Koroma led the West African country from 2007 to 2018, leading Sierra Leone for 11 years until 2018, when current President Bio was elected. His return comes ahead of presidential elections set for 2028.
