By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-01-17 18:55:17
Former president Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone has been charged with four offences for his alleged involvement in a failed military attempt to overthrow the government in November. Following this indictment, there have been concerns that this could escalate tensions after a contentious election and re-election of President Julius Maada Bio in June 2023.
The election saw the main opposition candidate reject the results, which raised questions from international partners. In November, gunmen attacked several locations in Sierra Leone, resulting in the release of over 2,200 inmates and the death of more than 20 people. The government attributed the attacks to a foiled coup by Koroma’s bodyguards, leading to his summons for questioning at the beginning of December.
Koroma’s lawyers have denounced the charges as “trumped up” and part of a “political vendetta”. However, the high court in Sierra Leone ruled in favor of Koroma’s lawyers, allowing the ex-president to travel to Nigeria for medical reasons for a period of up to three months. The case has been adjourned to March 6.
Attorney General of Sierra Leone declined to comment on the matter. Koroma was not present in court on Wednesday and had been granted bail when he was indicted on January 3. He has been restricted to his home in the capital city of Freetown since then.
Nigeria had previously offered to host Koroma on a temporary basis, which he accepted, as indicated in a letter from the Economic Community of West African States. A person found guilty of treason under Sierra Leone’s penal code could face imprisonment for life.
Alongside Koroma, twelve other individuals have been charged with treason related to the failed coup, including ex-police and correctional officers, as well as a member of Koroma’s security detail. The situation remains tense in Sierra Leone as the legal proceedings unfold, with implications reaching beyond the country’s borders.
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