Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned to his country after spending more than two years in Nigeria, following the discontinuation of criminal proceedings against him.
Koroma departed Nigeria on Sunday and arrived in Sierra Leone after the country’s authorities dropped the treason case that had been brought against him over the November 2023 attacks in Freetown.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was among those who saw Koroma off before his departure. Jonathan described him as a close friend and wished him a safe journey and a peaceful return home.
Koroma, who served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018, travelled to Nigeria in January 2024 after receiving permission to seek medical treatment while facing charges in his home country.
Although his stay was initially expected to be temporary, Koroma remained in Nigeria for more than two years as legal and diplomatic efforts surrounding his case continued.
The Sierra Leonean government discontinued the criminal proceedings against him in July 2026, after which the authorities confirmed that he was free to return home.
His return was also facilitated through diplomatic engagements involving Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States and other stakeholders, with the process aimed at supporting peace and national reconciliation in Sierra Leone.
Upon his return, Koroma expressed his willingness to contribute to consultations and efforts aimed at promoting peace and unity in his country.
His departure from Nigeria brings to an end his prolonged stay in the country and marks his return to Sierra Leone following the resolution of the legal proceedings against him.
She also commended the administration’s healthcare initiatives, saying primary healthcare centres had been established across the state’s 255 wards.
According to her, infrastructure and rural development projects undertaken by the administration had improved transportation, supported the movement of agricultural produce to markets and contributed to commercial activities.
Fawehinmi-Biobaku further praised Sani for promoting peace and strengthening relations between northern and southern Kaduna, noting that development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
She said the governor’s decision to choose a Christian from Southern Kaduna as his deputy was also significant, adding that her father would have been proud of the choice.
She conveyed a message from her mother, Ganiat Fawehinmi, who was unable to attend the event due to her age. She said her mother remained proud of Sani and asked her to tell him that “Gani lives on.”
Fawehinmi-Biobaku concluded that her father’s ideals and values continue to be reflected in Sani’s approach to governance, describing the governor as a living representation of the legacy her father left behind.
The group further criticised what it described as attempts to misrepresent Musa’s comments, insisting that the Defence Minister had a responsibility to respond to issues affecting the country’s security.
The coalition urged Nigerians to focus on the substance of the issues raised rather than allowing political disagreements to overshadow discussions about security and governance.
It also appealed to political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid statements capable of deepening divisions in the country.
The development follows an increasingly public exchange involving Musa and El-Rufai, with supporters on both sides offering differing interpretations of the Defence Minister’s comments.
The northern elders maintained that the debate should provide an opportunity for a broader examination of governance and security issues rather than being reduced to a personal or political confrontation.
