Former Sierra Leone President granted bail after being charged with treason

Ernest Koroma, the former president of Sierra Leone, is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, January 17, to answer to allegations that he was involved in a botched coup attempt.

In front of a magistrate court on Wednesday, he was accused of treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring suspects.

After the charges were presented to him, Mr. Koroma requested bail, and the High Court granted it.

In a press release, Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah said that Judge Samuel Taylor had granted the former president bail with several stipulations, among them that no more than ten individuals, including his spouse, kids, solicitors and political party members, could be present at his home at any one time.

Mr. Koroma will not leave his home without the Inspector-General of Police's express consent. Additionally, the only people permitted to visit him are the National Chairman and National Deputy Chairman of his party.

The judge further insisted that the Inspector-General of Police be granted permission for each visit to his home.

Additionally, he was requested to furnish two sureties, who ought to be elderly citizens residing in the Republic of Sierra Leone's Western Area.

According to Mr. Bah, the government will be prepared to begin calling witnesses on January 17.

Source