FG Grants Ex-Sierra Leone President Asylum Over Treason

The Federal Government of Nigeria has offered temporary asylum in Abuja to the former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, who charged with treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the West African country’s government in November 2023.

This was contained in a letter dated January 2, 2024.

The letter with reference number ECW/PC/DC/2024-001/oat, signed by the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, and directed to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone said Koroma has agreed to the proposition of being hosted in Nigeria.

The former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, was charged with four offences, including treason over the failed coup in the country.

Koroma served as president for 11 years until 2018, when the current President, Julius Maada Bio, was elected.

The letter read: “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 Sall, 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 Bai Koroma, 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, January 4, 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.”

According to Touray, the arrangements outlined were as follows: the government of Sierra Leone would cease all legal and administrative actions against Koroma; Koroma would continue to receive his benefits as a former President; the government of Sierra Leone would ensure the security of his residences in various locations within the country; and there is contemplation by the government of Sierra Leone to reimburse the former President for medical and travel expenses incurred.

However, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Timothy Kabba, told BBC that the government did not endorse the suggestion to relocate Koroma, characterising it as a proposal from the ECOWAS Commission President.

Attempts by West African leaders to facilitate an arrangement for Koroma to go into exile in Nigeria, contingent on dropping the charges, were made.

Koroma had expressed agreement with the deal brokered by the regional group in a letter.

Comments

Stop Creating Enmity, It'll Hurt You, Gov Fubara Warns Partisan Police Officers •Donates 100 Vehicles To Cut Response Time To Emergencies

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has advised partisan police officers who abandon their core professional responsibilities to pursue vested political interests to know that the enmity they fuel and eventually create will hurt them in the long run. Governor Fubara maintained that police officers are engaged and trained as professionals to protect lives and property while contributing to the desired peace in the State as a patriotic duty. The Governor insisted that it is, therefore, an aberration for any of them to think that protecting any particular individual or being one-sided in the political affairs to the detriment of the State amounts to professionalism. Governor Fubara gave the advise at the inauguration and formal handover of 100 operational vehicles acquired by his administration to the Rivers State Police Command at the Sharks Football Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The Governor said: "I need to say this, so that you will understand. When you (Disu) ca...

Assembly Screens, Confirms Oko-Jaja, Seven Others For BoPP Board •Tasks Members On Rivers First Policy

Rivers State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Opobo-born Barrister Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, as Chairman of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RSBoPP). Also screened and confirmed were Dr. Ernest Ibekwe Ekwe; Dr. Mina Ogbanga; Engr. Iseleye Amachree; Engr. Adokiye Oyagiri; Engr. Gift Alex-Hart; Mrs. Grace Osaronu; and Barrister Selinah Amonieah, who will serve as members. The eight nominees had appeared for screening before the lawmakers shortly after the reading of the letter sent by the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, requesting the House to determine their suitability for appointment as members of the Board of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, read the letter by the Governor during plenary at the Hallowed Chamber of the House of Assembly, Auditorium of the Administrative Block, Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, on Friday. The S...

66 New Babies Born At RCCG Convention, As Adeboye Prays Against Fresh Wars

Several mothers were delivered of no fewer than 66 babies at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Convention ground over the weekend. Adeboye announced this during the church’s 71st Annual Convention Friday Holy Ghost Service, tagged, “Beyond Expectations,” held from Friday night to Saturday morning at the church’s headquarters in Mowe, Ogun State. According to him, they comprised 31 females and 31 males. The Daddy GO also announced that next month’s Holy Ghost Service would be dedicated to those trusting God for the fruit of the womb. He said, “I believe God that there will be a lot of twins, triplets and many more. God does not know how to do small things and does not stop when your cup of blessings is full.” Meanwhile, Adeboye, has called on Christians, especially his church members, to pray against fresh wars, within and outside the country’s borders. The cleric said the country was already fighting many “wars” such as kidnapping, terrorism and killings, adding that fre...

Nelly's SmartBriefs

Search This Blog