Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday saw off ex-Sierra Leone President Ernest Koroma.
Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home after spending more than two years in Nigeria following the discontinuation of treason proceedings against him.
Koroma left Nigeria on Sunday for Sierra Leone, with former President Goodluck Jonathan seeing him off in Abuja.
Jonathan said Koroma had lived in Nigeria as his “home away from home” during his stay and expressed gratitude that the country was able to provide him with support.
He said he had worked with others to encourage dialogue with the Sierra Leonean authorities to create conditions for Koroma’s safe return.
Koroma served as Sierra Leone’s president from 2007 to 2018 before leaving for Nigeria in January 2024, after being charged with treason and other offences over the November 2023 unrest in the country.
The unrest, which the Sierra Leonean authorities described as an attempted coup, left 21 people dead and led to the escape of hundreds of prisoners.
In July 2026, Sierra Leone’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice discontinued the criminal proceedings against Koroma.
The decision ended the case against the former president and left him free to return to Sierra Leone.
Koroma had initially travelled to Nigeria after receiving permission to undergo medical treatment but remained in the country for more than two years.
His return follows an announcement by Sierra Leone’s Vice President Mohamed Jalloh that he would return to the country in the spirit of peace and national cohesion.
Jonathan wished Koroma a safe journey and expressed hope that his return would contribute to reconciliation in Sierra Leone.
Koroma has now returned to Sierra Leone after more than two years in Nigeria.