|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Freetown/Abuja – Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, departed the West African nation and landed in Nigeria on Friday, following a court’s decision permitting him to travel abroad for medical reasons despite facing treason charges.
Koroma, aged 70, faced charges on January 3 related to his alleged involvement in a failed military attempt to overthrow the government in November. However, a high court ruling on Wednesday allowed him to leave Sierra Leone.
The decision to let Koroma travel comes amidst concerns that his indictment could exacerbate domestic tensions linked to the 2023 election. President Julius Maada Bio secured reelection for a second term in the mentioned election. Nevertheless, the main opposition candidate contested the results, leading to international partners questioning the vote’s validity.
Koroma’s legal team has dismissed the charges as “trumped up” and part of a political vendetta.
A Reuters reporter at Freetown’s airport witnessed Koroma boarding a Nigerian presidential plane on Friday afternoon. Subsequently, the plane landed in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where Koroma was welcomed by Nigerian officials and the president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as reported by a second Reuters correspondent at the scene.
ECOWAS has not yet responded to requests for comments on the matter. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the president of the ECOWAS Commission, visited Sierra Leone last week for the second time since the November 26 coup last year, sparking speculation that the bloc may have brokered a deal with Sierra Leone authorities to allow Koroma’s relocation.
source:locotvgh.com