By Kemo Cham
The Sierra Leone government says it has discontinued all criminal proceeding against former President Ernest Bai Koroma and dropped all charges against him.
Koroma was charged with treason and misprision of treason in 2024 in connection to the failed November 26 2023 coup. He was eventually flown out of the country to Nigeria on the intervention of the sub regional body ECOWAS. But at the time, the government said his departure was on medical grounds.
The government in a statement issued through the office of the Justice Minister on Tuesday, July 14th said Koroma is free to return to the country after his medical treatment.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice said he took the decision in accordance with Section 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.
“As a result of the filing, the proceedings are no longer before the court, and the former president ‘s bail comes to an end with immediate effect,” the statement said.
The announcement comes as Sierra Leone prepares to host the Mid-year ECOWAS Heads of State Summit.
News of the development has been received with celebration among some Sierra Leoneans. The main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), to which Koroma belongs, is yet to issue out any statement.
