Controversy surrounds the plans of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to relocate former Sierra Leonean President, Ernest Bai Koroma, to Nigeria amidst treason charges and stringent bail conditions. A significant legal development emerged on January 3, 2024, as the ex-President faced severe charges related to an alleged attempted government overthrow in November 2023.
In a public notice by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, the charges of treason, misprision of treason, and harbouring were formally presented before Magistrate Santigie Bangura. Following jurisdictional constraints, a bail application was submitted in the High Court and granted by Judge Samuel O. Taylor, with stringent conditions including limited visitors and house confinement.
The ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, announced plans to relocate Koroma to Nigeria, following an agreement reached during an ECOWAS Mission to Freetown on December 23. However, Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Timothy Kabba expressed government disapproval, describing it as a unilateral proposition.
In response, Touray’s statement emphasized the temporary relocation of the former President to Abuja, pending approval. Koroma’s lawyer, Joseph Kamara, expressed shock and disbelief, asserting that the charges set a dangerous precedent, characterizing them as politically motivated.
Koroma and 11 others were charged over the attempted coup, denying any involvement in the attack. The incident occurred five months after a disputed election, criticized by Koroma’s All People’s Congress and international observers for a lack of transparency in the count.