By Ken Afor
There have been mixed reactions following the political asylum granted to Ernest Bai Koroma, the former President of Sierra Leone, who is expected to arrive in Nigeria today (Thursday).
It would be recalled, that five years after leaving office, in December 2023, Koroma was subjected to house arrest after undergoing two days of questioning following an attempted coup d’état on 26 November 2023 amidst protests.
On January 3, 2024, Koroma was charged with offenses including treason, according to a signed public notice on Wednesday by Sierra Leonean Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah.
“On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, in front of Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Magistrate Court #2, the Republic of Sierra Leone charged Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for his alleged role in the failed coup of November 26, 2023.
“The former President is charged with four offenses, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring,” as stated by Bah.
But, in what appeared to be a smooth transition for the ex-President, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) effectively secured political asylum for him in Nigeria, where he is anticipated to reside temporarily.
To this effect, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, has written a letter to the current President of Sierra Leone, Julius Bio, titled “Temporary Relocation of Former President to Abuja.” In this correspondence, Touray requested permission for the former President to travel to Nigeria.
The letter was written on January 2, 2024 with Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Nigeria), Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana) and Macky Sall (Sierra Leone) copied.
It reads: “I refer to the mission to Freetown on 23 December of the high-level ECOWAS delegation led by His Excellency, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Republic of Ghana, and His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal.
“I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that as part of the agreement reached during the mission, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has offered to host His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, Former President of Sierra Leone, in Abuja on a temporary basis. The former President has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria.
“Subject to your approval, arrangements will be made to fly Former President Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday 4 January 2024. He will be accompanied by his office manager and personal assistant.
“In addition to seeking Your Excellency’s approval for the departure from Sierra Leone of the Former President on or around the date indicated above, I would like to seek your confirmation that once President Koroma leaves Sierra Leone, the following arrangements (as agreed during the mission) will be put in place,” it stated.
The arrangement, however, included that the, “Government of Sierra Leone will discontinue all legal and administrative procedures against him.
“The Government of Sierra Leone will also continue to disburse to him his benefits as former President.
“The Government of Sierra Leone will secure his residences in the various locations in Sierra Leone.
“The Government of Sierra Leone will consider refunding medical and travel expenses he has incurred.
“While looking forward to Your Excellency’s favourable response, I take the opportunity to renew to Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
While the Information Unit staff of ECOWAS refused to comment on Touray’s letter, an undisclosed senior official from the Nigerian government revealed that the ex-President is anticipated to arrive in Abuja today (Thursday, December 4, 2024) to commence his political asylum.
Meanwhile, Koroma’s arrival has stirred reactions among Nigerians criticising the government for granting political asylum to the former Sierra Leonean president.
According to some of the reactions, Nigeria now appears to be a home that harbours individuals with questionable intentions.
They said it would be beneficial for the asylum seekers to engage in community service prior to receiving any assistance.
While the country continues to be a preferred destination for the likes of Koroma, it is perplexing to comprehend why the Nigerian government provides free meals to foreigners while its own citizens are required to pay, potentially through taxes.
Koroma was President of Sierra Leone for 11 years from 2007 to 2018.
Prior to his presidential election victory, Koroma was in the parliament from 2002 to 2007.
