By Morlai Sesay
On January 3rd, 2024, a significant development surfaced in the legal proceedings involving ex-President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, as detailed in a public notice by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah. Ex-President Koroma has been charged to court, facing severe charges, including treason, misprision of treason, and harboring, stemming from his alleged involvement in the November 26th, 2023, failed coup.
The charges were formally presented before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road's Magistrate's Court No.2. Due to jurisdictional constraints, an immediate application for bail was submitted to the High Court on behalf of the former President.
Judge Samuel O. Taylor presided over the bail hearing and ultimately granted bail. However, the court imposed stringent conditions: Prominent among the stringent measures include a maximum of 10 people, comprising his immediate family, legal counsel, and selected members of his political party, who are permitted at his residence at any given time.
Quite apart from that, Dr. Koroma is strictly prohibited from leaving his house without explicit permission from the Inspector-General of Police. Moreover, only the National Chairman and National Deputy Chairman of his political party are allowed to visit him.
The case, according to the Press Statement, has been adjourned until January 17, 2024, awaiting the state's preparedness to present its witnesses. Minister Chernor Bah highlighted these developments in the public notice, emphasizing the serious nature of the charges against the former President.
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