The Federal Government of Nigeria has facilitated the return of former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma, to Freetown after spending more than two years in Nigeria.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, accompanied Koroma to Sierra Leone on the instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing his return as the conclusion of a regional diplomatic and confidence-building process.
According to the Minister, Koroma relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 following engagements by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) aimed at promoting peace, stability and political understanding in Sierra Leone.
She said the process contributed to creating conditions for improved understanding between President Julius Maada Bio and the former president, allowing Koroma to remain temporarily in Nigeria.
“His conduct throughout this period reflected restraint, statesmanship, and commitment to a peaceful outcome,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
The Foreign Affairs Minister added that sustained engagements involving ECOWAS, the Nigerian Government and other stakeholders during Koroma’s stay contributed to resolving the issues that had necessitated his relocation.
She expressed appreciation to President Bio, former President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone for their cooperation and commitment to peace.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu further reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional harmony, constitutional order and democratic stability, expressing confidence that Koroma’s return would contribute to national reconciliation and peace in Sierra Leone.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo also joined the Minister in accompanying Koroma back to Freetown.
Koroma, who served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018, had relocated to Nigeria in January 2024 amid legal proceedings arising from the November 2023 attempted coup in Sierra Leone.
His return follows the discontinuation of the treason-related proceedings against him, bringing to an end his more than two-year stay in Nigeria.
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