The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, has stated that treason offenses in Sierra Leone are eligible for bail through the High Court.

Speaking to journalists in Freetown, Tarawally explained that while the law allows for bail in such serious cases, it ultimately depends on the judge’s discretion. His comments follow public scrutiny over the bail granted to former President Ernest Bai Koroma on medical grounds on January 17th, 2024.

During a recent press conference at his office, Tarawally confirmed the prosecution’s satisfaction with the High Court’s decision to permit Koroma to seek specialized medical treatment in Abuja, Nigeria. Notably, Koroma was required to secure two sureties, including Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray and Osman Foday Yansaneh, before being released.

Tarawally also disclosed that, at the time of the briefing, four witnesses had testified in an ongoing Court Martial. He emphasized the prosecution’s commitment to expeditiously presenting the remaining fifty-two witnesses to support their case.

Additionally, he reiterated the fundamental principle that all accused individuals, regardless of civilian or military status, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law.