A former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bal Koroma, is to be relocated to Nigeria.
The development followed the intervention of the Economic Community of West African States in his trial for treason.
The Eagle Online recalls that Koroma was arraigned on treason charges on Wednesday following a failed coup plot in the West African country.
However, ECOWAS, in a statement on Wednesday said plans had been concluded to relocate former Sierra Leone president to Nigeria on Thursday (today).
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It said this was a part of the agreement reached by the mission to Freetown on December 23, 2023 of the high-level ECOWAS delegation led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana, and Macky Sail, President of Senegal.
A statement signed by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said Koroma has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria.
It said subject to approval, arrangements will be made to fly Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday.
The statement, titled: “Temporary Relocation of Former President to Abuja,” 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 the Republic of Ghana, and His Excellency Macky Sail, 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 Bal Horoma, 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:
“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 this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.”