The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWSS) says it would relocate former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Koroma to Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement signed by the ECOWAS Commission president, Omar Touray and made available to journalists.
According to Mr. Touray, the relocation was part of the agreement reached by the mission to Freetown on December 23, 2023 of the high-level ECOWAS delegation led President of the Republic of Ghana, by President Nana Akufo-Addo, and President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall.
The statement also disclosed that the former president has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria, and subject to approval, arrangements will be made to fly former President Koroma out of Freetown today.
Meanwhile, the temporary accommodation was arranged as part of an agreement to drop all charges against Mr Koroma, whom the Sierra Leone government accused of treason and four other offences in a high court, on Wednesday.
The charges come amid heightened tensions following the attempted coup and a disputed June 2023 election, where President Julius Maada Bio secured a second term.
The election’s outcome faced rejection by the main opposition candidate and skepticism from international partners. He was released on bail but placed on house arrest at his residence in Freetown while the matter was adjourned till the 17th of January.
The government said it was willing to drop all the charges if Mr. Koroma vacated the country tentatively.
