FG Facilitates Ex-Sierra Leone President’s Return After Two Years in Nigeria

The Federal Government has facilitated the safe return of former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma to Freetown after more than two years in Nigeria.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, accompanied Koroma to Sierra Leone on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister described his return as the culmination of a regional diplomatic process aimed at easing political tensions and promoting stability in the West African country.

Koroma arrived in Nigeria in January 2024 after Sierra Leone authorities charged him with treason and other offences over his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt in November 2023.

The former president, who led Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, had initially secured judicial permission to stay in Nigeria for three months to receive medical treatment. He eventually remained in the country for more than two years.

The Sierra Leone High Court had approved his travel to Nigeria after his lawyers presented medical reasons for the request. The court’s order initially limited his stay to three months and required regular medical updates on his condition.

His relocation also followed regional efforts by the Economic Community of West African States to ease tensions surrounding his prosecution. Nigeria had offered to host him temporarily as part of the arrangement.

The development came after Sierra Leone dropped the treason charges against Koroma in July 2026, clearing the way for his return home.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu said sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, Nigeria and other stakeholders helped create the conditions for dialogue and reconciliation.

She also commended President Julius Maada Bio, Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation throughout the process.

“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” the minister said.

She expressed confidence that Koroma’s return would strengthen reconciliation and contribute to lasting peace in Sierra Leone.

According to the minister, Nigeria remains committed to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability across West Africa.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined Odumegwu-Ojukwu in escorting Koroma back to Freetown.

Koroma’s departure from Sierra Leone in 2024 followed the November 2023 unrest in which armed men attacked military facilities and prisons in Freetown. Authorities later accused him of involvement and charged him with treason, although he denied the allegations.

His return now brings an end to his extended stay in Nigeria and marks another step in efforts to ease political tensions in Sierra Leone.