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Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has arrived in Sierra Leone to attend the upcoming ECOWAS summit in Lungi. The summit is expected to host its grand event later on Sunday at the newly built Julius Maada Bio Conference Centre.
Koroma is participating in the high-level regional meeting as one of President Julius Maada Bio’s guests.
Koroma was recently pardoned following allegations of treason against the State.
The former president was charged with treason in January 2024 following a failed armed attack on 26 November 2023 that the Sierra Leonean government described as an attempted coup.
Prosecutors accused Koroma of treason, allegedly concealing knowlege of treason and two counts of harbouring accused persons in the alleged coup.
Koroma consistently denied any involvement. He condemned the November 2023 attacks shortly after they occurred. He later appeared in court and was granted bail under restrictive conditions, including a house arrest. Through his lawyers, argued that the charges were politically motivated and lacked evidence. The former President was later excused to leave the country on medical grounds.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay later issued a statement discontinuing the trial of Koroma on July 14, 2026. The government’s public statements was described as a major step toward promoting national reconciliation. However, they failed to provide a detailed legal explanation for withdrawing the case.
Koroma’s presence at the summit is expected to draw attention, as regional leaders and key stakeholders gather to discuss pressing issues affecting West Africa.
The ECOWAS summit brings together heads of state, policymakers, and distinguished guests to deliberate on matters of regional cooperation, peace, and development.
