Failed coup: Ex-Sierra Leone President, Ernest Koroma charged with treason, maybe exiled to Nigeria

Sierra Leone authorities have charged Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of the country, with treason in connection with a failed coup in November 2023.

Gunmen on November 26 attacked military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people.

After the attack, the government said it was a foiled coup led mostly by Koroma’s bodyguards.

Although Koroma had condemned the attacks, he was summoned for questioning in December.

On Tuesday, 12 other people were charged over the attempted coup, including one of Koroma’s former bodyguards.

On Wednesday, Koroma appeared in court and the charges which also include misprison of treason and two counts of harbouring, were read out to him.

According to the BBC, Koroma will be exiled to Nigeria in return for the charges being dropped.

Koroma is said to have agreed to the deal, brokered by the regional group, ECOWAS.