Former President Ernest Bai Koroma Returns to Sierra Leone from Nigeria

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home from Nigeria after spending more than two years there, according to a report by The Sierra Leone Telegraph.

Koroma arrived at Freetown International Airport accompanied by former Nigerian President Obasanjo and Nigeria’s foreign minister. He and Obasanjo were welcomed in Freetown by senior leaders of the All Peoples’ Congress Party and members of Koroma’s family.

Return follows reported withdrawal of charges

The reported return came a few months after the Sierra Leonean government dropped treason charges against Koroma following pressure from ECOWAS, The Sierra Leone Telegraph reported. Koroma had consistently denied the allegations.

The former president had been living in Nigeria, where he was described as having been hosted and protected by the Nigerian government during his stay.

The report said his arrival was not accompanied by street celebrations, extensive fanfare or a large motorcade.

Jonathan cites dialogue and engagement

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said Nigeria had worked quietly with others to encourage dialogue and engagement with Sierra Leonean authorities in support of Koroma’s return.

“Working quietly with others, we encouraged dialogue and engagement with the Sierra Leonean authorities to help create the conditions for his safe and dignified return,” Jonathan said in a social media statement after seeing Koroma off from Nigeria.

Jonathan said he was pleased that Koroma was returning to Freetown and expressed hope that the homecoming would bring renewed hope and reconciliation for Koroma, his family and the people of Sierra Leone.

The precise date of Koroma’s arrival was not stated in the supplied report. The return was reported on September 7, 2026, with the event understood to have taken place the previous day.