Nigerian Government Grants Asylum to Former President Ernest Bai Koroma

Former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has been granted permission to stay in Nigeria on political asylum by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The move comes in the wake of treason charges leveled against Koroma in connection with a failed coup d’etat in Sierra Leone on November 26, 2023.

In a letter addressed to the current President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, requested the temporary relocation of the former President to Abuja, Nigeria.

The letter, dated January 2, 2024, was also copied to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, and Senegalese President Macky Sall.

ECOWAS cited the need to ensure the safety and well-being of Dr Ernest Bai Koroma during the ongoing legal proceedings. The letter stated the organisation’s commitment to fostering peace, stability, and the rule of law in the West African region.

Nigeria, as a member state of ECOWAS, has agreed to provide political asylum for the former Sierra Leonean leader. The decision reflects the regional bloc’s stance on promoting diplomacy and conflict resolution within its member states.

While facing serious charges in Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma is expected to reside temporarily in Nigeria, pending the resolution of legal matters and the restoration of political stability in Sierra Leone.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2024-01-29 01:33:11

How do you want to prosecute EBK without any evidence? This is the plan of the Bio Administration to immerse someone who has set a legacy for him to prevail.
| 2024-01-06 09:40:14

If the government of Sierra Leone have a reliable evidence lets the law take it cuz. Because no one is above the law. Even president Bio will one day face the true worth of the law for all the killing of innocent life and the abuse of power within his tainue of office. One day he will face justice and the law is also going to be supreme at that time.
| 2024-01-05 15:01:39

The ECOWAS Especially Tinubu's irrational decision is totally beating my imagination. Considering his IQ and the entire ECOWAS executive personality. ECOWAS is ideally expected to be an outstanding body that positively aid its member states to mitigate social, economic and political upheavals to promote peace and tranquility. Making reference to the recent command made by ECOWAS (Tinubu) for a relocation of the former president who is presently on trial for alleged TREASON in his own country, the ECOWAS command is a clear manifestation of their support in the attempted failed coup staged on the 26/11/2023. Considering the innocent souls the country loss and economic effects brought by some unscrupulous and selfish individuals especially Ernest Koroma and you proudly request and to grant him Asylum in Nigeria, Oo my gosh!! Nigeria is facing serious political challenges try to settle it first please. You pretended to aid us military support to show that you love Sierra Leone and indirectly stab us at our back. WE NO LONGER TRUST YOU (ECOWAS)
| 2024-01-05 11:17:47

EBK commit in Sierra Leone and must try in Sierra Leone. If Nigeria wants him for temporary relocation they should bring back all the past soldiers and police that he contributed greatly to their death. Leaving their children fatherless and wives as widows. And is Like the Nigeria president want to bring war back to Sierra Leone. EBK is in Sierra Leone and his making the country unrest U people never stopped him now he is charged to court you are asking for him to be relocated to your country. Please solve your bukaharam issues first. EBK must try in Sierra Leone and if found guilty he must be sentenced to prison Ok. He was my Best president ever in Sierra Leone but he has messed up and the law must take it due Course. He was not a competitor for the 2023 presidential race, why should he the head and team leader of a coup in his own country where he has served for eleven years as president without no disturbance, that a big shame for him and his family at large. He must be sentenced to prison.
| 2024-01-05 11:14:25

Why are we so stupid in that nation and so ungrateful, and so when your brother did bad you go straight and tell him you were wrong is it a crime please let be careful of doing things or saying anything in the public gatherings, Here's someone that committed state crime and he was one was once head of state,why can't we give the government to play his own roles and responsibilities, tomorrow again we the same citizens are going to blaming the government, Even if things like that going to happen let (ECOWAS) can't be so broad to do things like that we're all African black as as a whole when someone is wrong show to world's that this person is like this before you take different step like so let's be Wise okay,(ECOWAS) becarefull with such a dissision made by you guys, the world 🌍 ıs watching your. I rest my case too.
| 2024-01-05 10:12:45

No one is above the law
| 2024-01-05 09:16:58

My brother, I hope Bio 1995-1996 was not a coup?... My brother una leh we take time, power dae don ,na wae Dem go revised u yone again about the deadly and the biggest coup of Sierra Leone in the 90's.. na fire Dem don set so bro, I love president Bio but he should not forget he has a past more dangerous that even what happens on November 26th 2023
| 2024-01-05 08:57:48

Oh Salone
| 2024-01-05 08:02:07

Man pass man who na go met am dae nor who wan ka mix the blessing man pa halake talk
| 2024-01-05 07:52:23

Sierra Leone politics nasty bad,na d pa den dae bien so,uda go be tomorrow na God Sabi,ar rest my case!!!. We see
| 2024-01-05 07:39:27

Well d pa Don go una say no ba
| 2024-01-05 07:10:05

EBK is currently in Sierra Leone,he has not been granted the permission to depart for Nigeria.And the matter has adjourned to 17 January 2024.
| 2024-01-05 07:08:17

When former South Africa president Jacob Zuma was running trial and Guinea president was apprehended Nigerian don't interfere, why sierra Leone? Many people have suffering throughout the past five years due to economic hardship, political instability, and the Adibayo is insighhting people ECOWAS don't care, this is sierra Leone matter and Former president will go no where for peace sack. so Nigeria stay away, try to solve your Boku Haram issue first.
| 2024-01-05 07:05:37

ECOWAS leaders do not like Maada Bio. It's a trap. He shouldn't release Pa Koroma until the trail is over. If he is found guilty, he should be part of the firing squad or life sentence
| 2024-01-05 05:22:45

What will happy to mende squad, you think Sierra Leone belong to only you?
Syl | 2024-01-05 05:21:07

Abdulai which peace are you talking about? Earnest Bai Koroma is a suspect of committing Treason. As EBK bin don say during the sacking of his vice president Sam Sumana , EBK bin say Ecowas has no jurisdiction of Sierra Leone sovereign State. EBK nor the go no side. Thank God the trial don start. Earnest Bai Koroma which kind baster pikin life Dan dae ba. You take you mamie e ass you go make den killed den Police man den
Alie Hassan | 2024-01-05 05:20:08

It is an Asylum abi na Exlie
| 2024-01-05 04:37:19

The international communities want to bring war into Sierra Leone. What's about the problem created by Ernest Bai Koroma, he was trying to over throw the democratically elected president. And because of his support to some of the coup plotters, the president would have have even lost his life. But they international is not looking at that because they want to invade Sierra Leone to take our minerals that is why they are supporting Ernest Bai Koroma. But Sierraleoneas should be brave enough to see what the international communities are all about against Maada Bio.
| 2024-01-05 02:11:50

We go only left am go after wey e don pay all the money wey e tif en after wey e don fasin e treason charges dem
| 2024-01-05 00:10:14

Dakai Bio lookin for trouble. Walay lay mea is not working for him. Karma always come back
| 2024-01-05 00:05:47

This is one of the nonsensical piece I have ever read. No way you people mendle into our sovereignty as a state
| 2024-01-04 23:48:20

He who rejected ECOWAS in his tenure of office, is now crying to them for help.what goes round comes around.
| 2024-01-04 23:16:22

Wow!!! What can we say?
| 2024-01-04 23:14:05

Ebk don go Nigeria or e still dae na salon? Una tell we straight ba
| 2024-01-04 23:11:46

That could be the best for the sake of peace
Abdulai Karim kebe | 2024-01-04 23:11:06

Fake basta pikin dem dae play on people na salone lek tennis ball. Time go fit clock for mada and Mende squad.
| 2024-01-04 23:08:06

That could be the best for the sake of peace,
Vincent Joe Tucker | 2024-01-04 22:49:26

Ngo Maada say leh the Pa nor go no sai.
| 2024-01-04 22:38:52

Your article doesn't make sense