By Jeneba A. Conteh.
Former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has been discharged and acquitted of any criminal charges as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has struck out the criminal charges against him.
“This decision has been taken in the exercise of the constitutional powers of the Attorney-General and it brings to an end the criminal proceedings in which Dr Koroma was charged with treason, misprision of treason and harbouring persons alleged to have participated in the attempted coup of November 26, 2023 that failed.”
Immediately after the conclusion of the trial, the medical bail of the former President was cancelled,” the statement said.
The Attorney-General’s decision also allows Dr Koroma to return to Sierra Leone at any time or once his medical treatment is complete.
Dr Koroma was brought before Pademba Road Court No. 2 on January 3, 2024.
The prosecution said he was planning to overthrow Sierra Leone’s government between Nov. 5 and 26, 2023, had several suspects involved in the attempted coup and was concealing knowledge of the alleged treasonous acts.
The prosecution was led by the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mohamed Lamin Tarawally, assisted by eight state counsels. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara led an 11-member defence team for the former President.
The filing of such notice of discontinuance shall terminate the criminal proceedings against the ex-President.
