Former Sierra Leone 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 left Nigeria on Sunday morning, accompanied by former Nigerian Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, minister of foreign affairs.
Koroma served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018 before being charged with treason over his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in November 2023.
An agreement was subsequently reportedly brokered by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), under which Koroma relocated to Nigeria while the treason charges were dropped.
He arrived in Nigeria in January 2024 and remained in the country for more than two years.
In July, the Sierra Leonean government announced that criminal proceedings against the former president had been discontinued.
The office of the attorney-general said the case was no longer before the court, clearing Koroma to return to Sierra Leone.
Vice-President Mohamed Jalloh also announced on Friday that Koroma would return to the country as part of efforts to promote peace and national cohesion.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Magnus Eze, media aide to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the minister said ongoing engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian government and other stakeholders had helped resolve the issues that led to Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria.
“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The minister also thanked President Julius Bio, Koroma and the Sierra Leonean authorities for their cooperation and commitment to maintaining peace.
In a separate statement, former President Jonathan said the discussions promoted dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities and helped establish the conditions for Koroma’s safe and dignified return.
Jonathan welcomed Koroma’s return to Freetown, expressing hope that his homecoming would usher in renewed hope and reconciliation in Sierra Leone.