Ernest Bai Koroma
Photo credits: Davies Cole on Facebook

Sierra Leone’s former president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is a year older today. The statesman celebrates his 71st birthday away from the country he ruled for 10 years.

Koroma has been in Nigeria since January 2024. He flew via a Nigerian Air Force jet after the High Court granted him a medical leave while standing trial for treason.

Ernest Bai Koroma Legacy

Ernest Bai Koroma is a prominent Sierra Leonean politician, who ruled the country from 2007-2018. Koroma, who was an insurance agent by profession, entered politics in 2002.

He contested the 2002 presidential elections but lost to the late former president, Ahmed Tejan Kabba.

Koroma was then elected to Parliament where he served as opposition leader until 2007. He then contested again and won the 2007 run-off presidential election, defeating then vice president Solomon Berewa.

After his first five years, Koroma was elected for a second term in 2012.

His agendas were that of Prosperity and Attitudinal and Behavioral Change (ABC). He was prominent for development in infrastructure, energy, health and increasing the minimum wage.

Koroma was Chairman and Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress party until 2022. After leaving active politics, Koroma supported democracy around Africa, leading election observers missions and performing other roles.

Ernest Bai Koroma
Photo credits: Joseph Fitzgerald on X

Why is Ernest Bai Koroma on trial?

Before leaving for Nigeria, Koroma was under house arrest. He was charged with treason, misprision of treason and habouring. The charges relate to his alleged involvement in the November 26 “failed attempted coup”. Koroma denied the allegations.

On November 26 2023, gunmen attacked the main armory. Some of whom were bodyguards and friends of the former president. They also broke into the country’s central ‘Pademba Road’ prison, freeing more than 2,000 inmates. At least 18 people were killed before the incident was thwarted.

Investigations were subsequently carried out and about a dozen men including the former president were charged with treason and other offenses. But Koroma’s trial had to be paused for medical reasons. His lead counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara described his charges as “trumped up” and politically motivated.

ECOWAS intervened on the matter. They asked for the charges to be dropped against the former president. They proposed exile to Nigeria instead. The government swiftly rejected the offer.

To ease tensions ECOWAS sent a delegation led by the West African body’s President, Omar Alieou Touray and former Senegalese President Macky Sall. It was only after their visit that Koroma was allowed to leave the country.

The leave was to last for 90 days but the former president did not appear at the next scheduled hearing. His lawyers said they secured an enlargement of the time.

The next hearing was scheduled for July 17 2024 but the former president wasn’t in court yet again. His trial was again rescheduled for 18th November 2024.

Ernest Bai Koroma after his first court appearance in his treason trial
Photo from social media

What happened to the other citizens charged with treason?

Most of the people who were said to have been involved in the coup were arrested. The courts in Freetown tried them following that. Some were apprehended by the Sierra Leone Police and others by community members after a bounty was placed for those who fled and were declared wanted.

Some made their ways out of Sierra Leone but were captured in Guinea and extradited. A total of 11 were tried and found guilty of treason and were slammed with sentences ranging from 30-182 years. The court martial also carried out its own trials of 27 of its personnel. Some have already been convicted and sentenced whilst others are still being tried.

The public continues to wait to see if Koroma will return for his court date on November, the month of last year’s coup attempt.

ECOWAS communique after Ernest Bai Koroma was granted medical leave while on trial

Birthday Wishes From Home

Sierra Leonean’s online have been sending birthday wishes for the former president whom they could have otherwise thrown a party for.

“Wishing a Special Birthday to President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, a compassionate leader, and friend”, said Koroma’s attorney, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara on X.

Ernest Bai Koroma and his attorney
Photo credits Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara on X

The Mayor of Freetown and a member of Koroma’s party, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr posted on X:

“Happy 71st birthday @ebklegacy!! Thank you for your lasting contribution to the development of our nation. Wishing you all the very best for today and always.”