Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma Granted Political Asylum In Nigeria.
By Caroline Ameh
Ex-President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma, is set to seek political asylum in Nigeria amid charges of treason stemming from an alleged involvement in a failed coup last year.
Following negotiations by the regional bloc, ECOWAS, a letter addressed to Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Bio, detailed the agreement for Koroma’s temporary relocation to Abuja, Nigeria. The letter, penned by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray and co-signed by Presidents Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, and Macky Sall of Sierra Leone, outlined the terms and conditions of Koroma’s move.
As per the letter, Nigeria has offered to host the former President temporarily, a move that Koroma has accepted. The proposal entails the discontinuation of all legal and administrative actions against Koroma in Sierra Leone, ensuring his entitlement to former Presidential benefits, safeguarding his residences in Sierra Leone, and potentially refunding incurred medical and travel expenses.
The arrangement also includes plans to fly Koroma out of Freetown on January 4, 2024, with his office manager and personal assistant accompanying him. However, this move is contingent upon the approval of Sierra Leone’s President.
Touray affirmed that Koroma has agreed to the invitation to stay in Nigeria and that arrangements are underway for his departure from Freetown, awaiting the final green light from Sierra Leonean authorities.
