Ernest Bai Koroma - The African Mirror

Jan

21

2024

Indicted Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma flies to Nigeria

NEWS

SIERRA Leone's ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma left the West African country by plane and flew to Nigeria, two Reuters reporters said, after a court allowed him to travel abroad on medical grounds despite treason charges. On January 3, 70-year-old Koroma was charged with four offences for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the government in November, but a high court on Wednesday ruled he could leave the country. The decision came amid concerns his indictment could stoke domestic tensions linked to the 2023 election, which saw President Julius Maada Bio reelected for a second term although the main opposition candidate rejected…

Jan

19

2024

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone allows ex-president Koroma to leave country on medical grounds

NEWS

A Sierra Leone high court allowed ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma, charged this month with treason, to travel abroad on medical grounds. Koroma, 70, was charged with four offences for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the West African country's government in November. There are concerns Koroma's indictment could stoke tension brought by a contentious election in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in June 2023. The main opposition candidate rejected the results and international partners questioned the vote. Months later, on November 26, gunmen attacked military barracks, a prison and other locations in…

Jan

04

2024

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone charges ex-president’s guard, 11 others over failed coup

NEWS

SIERRA Leone authorities have charged 12 people with treason in connection with a failed coup in November, including a member of former President Ernest Bai Koroma's security detail, the government said. Gunmen attacked a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone on November 26, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people in what the authorities said afterwards was an attempt to overthrow the government. The accused were arraigned before a magistrate in the capital Freetown on Tuesday, the information ministry said in a statement, adding that they included ex-police and correctional officers and former Koroma…

Dec

08

2023

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned for questioning over failed coup

NEWS

SIERRA Leone police have summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning as part of their investigation into a failed coup attempt on November 26, information minister Chernor Bah said in a statement. Koroma is invited to report to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown within 24 hours, the statement said. Koroma said he would honour the invitation. "I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy", Koroma said in a statement, calling on the public to remain calm. Gunmen…

Oct

01

2020

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone anti-graft body summons ex-president Koroma for questioning

NEWS

UMARU FOFANA SIERRA Leone's anti-corruption body has summoned former President Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning under oath over allegations of graft while in office, it has announced. The summons by the anti-graft commission is the latest move in a campaign by Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, to call to account the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse. His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, speaking at the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, 20 January 2020 It concerns alleged wrongdoing in connection with mining, construction and procurement contracts, and…

Oct

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Anti-graft agents blocked from questioning former Sierra Leone president

NEWS

UMARU FOFANA ANTI-GRAFT investigators in Sierra Leone were forced to abandon a mission to interview former President Ernest Bai Koroma in his northern hometown of Makeni when his supporters blocked the road and threatened them. Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, has led a campaign to call to account the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse. Koroma denies any wrongdoing and has said corruption allegations are part of a long-running smear campaign. Agents from the Anti-Corruption Commission (AAC) were unable to access Koroma's residence, which is among assets worth $200 million…

Nov

25

2020

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone anti-corruption body questions former president

NEWS

SIERRA Leone's former President Ernest Bai Koroma has been questioned in a secure location in connection with investigations into alleged corruption after his lawyer cited concerns over his safety, the anti-corruption commission said. The case concerns alleged wrongdoing in connection with mining, construction and procurement contracts during Koroma's 2007-2018 tenure. Koroma denies the allegations, and has said corruption allegations are part of a long-running smear campaign. This questioning is the latest move in a campaign by Koroma's successor, President Julius Maada Bio, to investigate the previous administration that Maada Bio says took the country to the brink of economic collapse.…