A Magistrate court in Sierra Leone has requested that the legal representatives of former President Ernest Bai Koroma present a new medical report demonstrating his health progress. Magistrate Santigie Bangura raised concerns on Tuesday about Koroma’s absence from court proceedings, despite being granted bail in January on medical grounds.
Koroma, who served as President of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, is facing a four-count charge relating to his purported involvement in the overthrow of the Sierra Leonean government of President Julius Maada Bio on November 26, 2023. The charges include treason, misprision of treason, and harboring.
On January 17, Koroma was granted permission to depart Sierra Leone for urgent medical treatment in Nigeria. The decision followed a successful bail review application submitted by his legal team, seeking a ninety-day allowance for his overseas medical attention. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Despite being due to appear in court on Wednesday, the former President did not show up as scheduled. The court has adjourned the matter to March 27, 2024, pending the submission of a new medical report by Koroma’s legal representatives.
Koroma’s lawyers have since rejected the charges, describing them as a “dangerous precedent.” Lead Counsel Joseph Kamara said the charges cast a dark shadow over the nation and were part of a political vendetta. He asserted that dragging a democratically elected former head of state on such charges sets a dangerous precedent.
In response to the charges, Judge Samuel O. Taylor granted bail to Koroma under specified conditions. These conditions include limiting individuals at Dr. Koroma’s residence to a maximum of 10 people at any time, comprising his wife, children, lawyers, and political party members. Additionally, the former President is barred from leaving his residence without explicit permission from the Inspector-General of Police.
It remains uncertain whether Koroma’s upcoming court appearance will proceed as scheduled, given his current medical absence.
