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.
Koroma departed Nigeria on Sunday morning and was
accompanied by former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo,
alongside Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs.
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 the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), allowing Koroma to be exiled to
Nigeria in return for the charges being dropped.
The former Sierra Leonean leader arrived in Nigeria in
January 2024 and remained in the country.
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 a statement issued on Sunday by Magnus Eze,
Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s media aide, the minister said sustained engagements involving
ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders had contributed to
resolving 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 Bio, Koroma, and Sierra Leonean
authorities for their cooperation and commitment to peace.
In a separate statement, former President Jonathan said the
discussions encouraged dialogue with the Sierra Leonean authorities and helped
create the conditions for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.
He expressed happiness at Koroma’s return to Freetown and
hoped that it would mark a moment of renewed hope and reconciliation.
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