Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, recently shed light on the anticipated return of former Sierra Leone President, Ernest Bai Koroma, to his homeland following medical treatment in Abuja.

In a gathering with members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) in Abuja, Ambassador Tuggar revealed that Koroma is slated to return to Sierra Leone within three months upon completing his medical regimen in Nigeria.

Addressing concerns surrounding Koroma’s presence in Nigeria, Ambassador Tuggar clarified that the former Sierra Leonean leader sought refuge in Nigeria for medical purposes, emphasizing that his stay aims to mitigate tensions in Sierra Leone.

“I believe he’s away for some medical treatment. He will return in a while, I think, three months, but this is where he’s residing. He’s safe and sound here,” Ambassador Tuggar affirmed.

The minister elucidated the rationale behind maintaining discretion regarding Koroma’s presence, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding undue attention that could potentially exacerbate tensions in Sierra Leone.

“We don’t want a situation where he’s residing here and we continue to speak about him and he’s attracting a lot of attention. And maybe he’s even been put in an awkward position where he has to start speaking and then that defeats the purpose of us diffusing the tension in Sierra Leone,” Ambassador Tuggar commented.

He urged cooperation from the media in respecting the objective of preserving stability in Sierra Leone by refraining from excessive coverage of Koroma’s presence in Nigeria.

Koroma, who served as President of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, currently faces a four-count charge related to his alleged involvement in the overthrow of President Julius Maada Bio's government on November 26, 2023. The charges against him include treason, misprision of treason, and harboring.

On January 17, Koroma was granted permission to travel from Sierra Leone to Nigeria for urgent medical treatment. The decision followed a successful bail review application submitted by his legal team, seeking a ninety-day allowance for his overseas medical attention.

Ambassador Tuggar’s insights provide valuable context regarding Koroma’s situation, underscoring the importance of diplomatic discretion and the pursuit of stability in the region. As Koroma prepares to return to Sierra Leone, the focus remains on addressing the underlying tensions and fostering a peaceful resolution to the political challenges facing the nation.