Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to Freetown after spending more than two years in Nigeria under an arrangement aimed at easing political tensions in his home country.
Koroma was accompanied to Sierra Leone by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the return as the successful conclusion of a regional diplomatic process involving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other stakeholders to promote peace, reconciliation and political stability in Sierra Leone.
Koroma travelled to Nigeria in January 2024 after Sierra Leonean authorities charged him with treason and other offences over his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt. He denied involvement in the alleged plot.
He had initially been granted permission to remain in Nigeria for three months for medical treatment but eventually stayed for more than two years.
The former president’s relocation to Abuja was part of an ECOWAS-backed effort to reduce political tensions between him and President Julius Maada Bio. Nigeria agreed to host Koroma as part of the arrangement.
The crisis followed unrest in November 2023, when military facilities and prisons in Freetown were attacked. The authorities subsequently accused Koroma of involvement in the alleged attempt to overthrow the government and charged him with treason.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained engagement between ECOWAS, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and other stakeholders helped create an environment for dialogue and reconciliation.
She commended President Bio, Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation, describing Koroma’s conduct during his stay in Nigeria as marked by restraint and statesmanship.
The minister expressed confidence that Koroma’s return would strengthen reconciliation and contribute to lasting peace in Sierra Leone, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to constitutional order, democratic stability and regional harmony.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined Odumegwu-Ojukwu in escorting Koroma back to Freetown.
Koroma’s return brings an end to his extended stay in Nigeria, which began during a politically sensitive period in Sierra Leone following the November 2023 unrest and the subsequent legal proceedings against the former president.
