Ex-Sierra Leone President Koroma Returns to Country After Two Years in Nigeria

FREETOWN — Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to his country after spending more than two years in Nigeria, following the discontinuation of treason and other criminal proceedings against him.

Koroma arrived at the Freetown International Airport on Sunday, accompanied by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, according to reports from Freetown.

He was received by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, and officials of his All People’s Congress (APC), the opposition party he previously led.

“Today I have come back home and I’m happy,” Koroma told journalists after his arrival.

Koroma, who served as president from 2007 to 2018, left Sierra Leone for Nigeria in January 2024 after being charged with treason and other offences over the November 2023 attacks in Freetown, which authorities described as an attempted coup.

He had initially been granted permission by Sierra Leonean judicial authorities to remain in Nigeria for three months to receive medical treatment, but stayed in the country for more than two years.

In July 2026, Sierra Leone’s Justice Ministry discontinued the criminal proceedings against Koroma without publicly giving reasons for the decision, paving the way for his permanent return.

On Friday, Vice President Mohamed Jukdeh Jalloh announced Koroma’s return during a gathering of local leaders and residents in Makeni, his political stronghold.

“In the spirit of peace and national cohesion, the former president Dr Ernest Bai Koroma will return to the country this weekend,” Jalloh said.

Nigeria facilitates return

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria had facilitated Koroma’s return as part of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process involving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders.

In a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the minister said she accompanied Koroma to Sierra Leone on the instruction of President Bola Tinubu.

She said Koroma relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 following engagements by ECOWAS aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.

According to her, sustained engagements during his stay in Nigeria helped create conditions for improved understanding between President Julius Maada Bio and Koroma and ultimately facilitated his return.

“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

She expressed appreciation to Bio, Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation and commitment to peace, adding that Nigeria remained committed to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability.

The minister said Koroma’s return would further strengthen national reconciliation and peace in Sierra Leone.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan also confirmed Koroma’s departure from Nigeria, saying he saw him off on Sunday.

Jonathan described Koroma as his “dear friend and brother” and said Nigeria had served as his “home away from home” for more than two years.

He said he and others had worked quietly to encourage dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities and help create the conditions for Koroma’s “safe and dignified return”.

“As we say farewell today, I am particularly happy that he is returning home to Freetown,” Jonathan said.

Koroma calls for reconciliation

Following his arrival, Koroma called for unity, reconciliation and collective action, pledging to work openly with everyone to move Sierra Leone forward.

Speaking during his first address after returning home, he said he was prepared to do whatever was necessary to bring people together.

“I publicly commit that whatever it takes to achieve this, I will do it. I will do it openly and with an open hand,” Koroma said.

He urged Sierra Leoneans not to dwell on past disagreements and said he was returning with an open mind.

“Let us work together, and let us not look back. The past is behind us; let us all move forward together,” he said.

Koroma’s return follows the November 2023 security crisis in Sierra Leone, when armed attackers stormed a military armoury, two barracks, two prisons and two police stations.

Twenty-one people were killed during the violence, which the authorities described as an attempted coup. Two dozen soldiers and Koroma’s former bodyguard were later sentenced by a military court to prison terms ranging from 50 to 100 years for their alleged roles in the mutiny.

Koroma had briefly returned to Sierra Leone in July to attend an ECOWAS summit at the invitation of President Bio, following the discontinuation of the charges. His latest arrival marks his return to the country after more than two years in Nigeria.

His return comes ahead of Sierra Leone’s 2028 presidential election.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday saw off ex-Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma. PHOTOS: Goodluck Jonathan | X