By: Audrey John
The trial of former president of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma continues on Wednesday 27th March 2024, after he was docked and exiled to Nigeria on compassionate medical grounds.
This was after he appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura for an alleged involvement in overthrowing the government of Sierra Leone on 26th November 2023.
He was standing trial before the court on four count charges of treason, misprison of treason and two count charges of harbouring all contrary to the law of Sierra Leone.
The charge sheet indicated that Ernest Bai Koroma on diverse dates between 5th and 26th November, 2023 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The charge sheet furthered that Ernest Bai Koroma between 20 and 25 November, 2023 in preparedness to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone harbored Soriba Mansaray, Yapo Sesay, Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura, Sergeant 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara and Kabba Dumbuya in his premises.
The charge sheet furthered that Ernest Bai Koroma on 29th November, 2023 at Makeni well knowing that Soriba Mansaray, Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura and Yapo Sesay had prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means but unlawfully concealed the information of the said treason.
After the charges were read and explained to Ernest Bai Koroma on his first appearance, no plea was taken.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice who is the lead state prosecutor, Lamin Tarawalie, Osman Kanu, AGM Bockarie and A. Jalloh were present in court whilst the accused counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, S. Bangura and C. Kamara and the sureties of the accused person Osman Yansaneh and Minkailu Mansaray were also present in court.
The matter was mentioned in closed door; this medium was informed that the matter was adjourned to the 17th July 2024.
