ABUJA, Nigeria — Sierra Leone’s ex-president Ernest Bai Koroma reportedly hopped on a plane and flew to Nigeria on Friday after a court allowed him to travel abroad for medical reasons despite facing treason charges.
Koroma was hit with four charges for his alleged participation in a failed military attempt to overthrow the government in November. However, in a surprising turn of events, a high court ruled on Wednesday that he could exit the country.
According to a report from Reuters published Friday, the 70-year-old former president left the country.
Koroma’s lawyers called the charges against the 70-year-old former president “trumped up” and an act of a political retribution.
The decision to permit Koroma to travel out of the country was made amidst concerns that his indictment could inflame domestic tensions tied to the 2023 election. President Julius Maada Bio secured a second term, despite the main opposition candidate rejecting the results and international partners questioning the vote.
More on Koroma and the attempted military coup in Sierra Leone.
