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Former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, has arrived in Makeni, where hundreds of supporters and well-wishers gathered to welcome him back to his political stronghold.
Koroma’s visit marks his first return to Makeni since the political and legal developments that followed the attempted coup in Freetown in November 2023.
In January 2024, the former President was charged with treason, misprision of treason and other related offences in connection with the alleged attempted coup. Koroma denied any involvement in the events.
On 26 November 2023, armed men attacked military facilities and a prison in Freetown, resulting in several deaths and the release of more than 2,000 inmates.
Following his court appearance, Koroma was granted permission to travel to Nigeria for medical treatment, where he subsequently remained while the legal proceedings continued.
In July 2026, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, discontinued the criminal proceedings against the former President by exercising the power of nolle prosequi under the Criminal Procedure Act 2024. The decision brought the case to an end in its current form and lifted the conditions attached to Koroma’s medical bail, allowing him to return to Sierra Leone.
Koroma subsequently returned to Sierra Leone, and his arrival in Makeni has attracted a large gathering of supporters and well-wishers eager to welcome him back to the city.
His return to Makeni comes amid continued political interest in his role and influence, particularly within the All People’s Congress (APC), of which he is a former leader and senior figure.
