15/07/2026
The Government of sierra Leone Drops Treason Charges Against Former President Ernest Bai Koroma
By Emmanuel Jim
In a major development for Sierra Leone’s political landscape, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has officially discontinued all criminal proceedings against former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
The decision, announced via a public notice on July 14, 2026, clears the former leader of all charges related to his alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt of November 26, 2023.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice formally halted the prosecution of Dr. Koroma, who had previously been charged with treason and misprision of treason.
This legal action was executed under the authority of Section 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, which empowers the Attorney General to discontinue criminal proceedings.
Because the criminal case is no longer before the courts, Dr. Ernes Bai Koroma’s medical bail has been terminated. He was previously receiving specialized treatment in Nigeria. He is now legally cleared to return to Sierra Leone at any time of his choosing.
While the government projects this landmark move as a critical step toward national reconciliation and political cohesion, public reaction remains mixed.
Observers and state representatives view the discontinuance as an effort to lower political tensions and promote peace within the West African nation.
Within the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), some party faithful remain skeptical. Debates have emerged regarding the phrasing and exact legal mechanisms utilized under Section 45, with critics questioning the political nuances behind the abrupt legal halt.
The resolution of this high-stakes legal battle leaves one pressing question for Sierra Leone's political future:
Will former President Koroma formally retire from active politics and step into the permanent role of an elder statesman, or does he still hold political decisions in the APC?
For continuous coverage and real-time updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Trico TV.
