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Former President Ernest Bai Koroma appears poised to return home from Nigeria, according to his lawyer, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK). In a recent statement, Kamara called on President Julius Maada Bio and the current Attorney General to engage in diplomatic discussions about facilitating the former president’s return.
“I was with the former president a month ago, and despite his health challenges, he is looking forward to coming back. He is a man of peace who has never left the country, even in times of war,” Kamara explained.
The lawyer emphasised Koroma’s enduring commitment to his people and stressed the need for the government to determine a role that benefits from his extensive experience and expertise. “We are missing out on the benefit of his experience and guidance. It is time for us to come together as a government to see what role he can play,” he said.
The lawyer urged that a meeting be convened with President Bio and the Attorney General to address the matter, allowing the former president to return in peace and enjoy his retirement while continuing to contribute to the nation’s peace and security.
“In making his closing remarks, I mentioned that if President Bio wishes to enjoy his own retirement, he must also allow Koroma the opportunity to retire in peace,” Kamara stated, highlighting the potential mutual benefits of such an arrangement.
The former president is currently in an extended medical leave after the police detained him on allegations of plotting of overthrow his predecessor, President Julius Maada Bio in failed coup on November 26, 2023.
Koroma, who was residing in Makeni at the time, denied the allegations with his supporters linking it to ploy by the Bio-led administration to smear his image. Koroma served two terms as president of Sierra Leone after winning the 2007 Presidential election against former vice president, Solomon Berewa.
In 2012, he was re-elected in a landslide victory defeating Bio, the current president.
He must be allowed to come he is a peaceful man
He needs to be giving respect
E, ow den dae make dis case now, I thought he left for medical reasons, who said he could not come back? And while I understand his wanting to come back, the EBK team is being very foolish in looking to place trust in Bio. They will “allow” him to come back but find some way to start harassing him in the future. If he doesn’t want invitations to CID, he bette siddom na Nigeria. If he wants to come back, JFK, since you are a lawyer, make sure there is an iron clad agreement signed that ensures he does not get arrested for anything the government thinks he might have done in the past. That doesn’t prevent trumped up charges in the future. There will be lots of things in the future that Bio wants distractions from and 2028 will be here soon, they will be looking to lock up as many APC members as possible, but I guess he can hope he enjoys his retirement in peace.