Ernest Bai Koroma, the former president of Sierra Leone, was accused on Wednesday with treason and other offences for his alleged involvement in what the government has described as a coup attempt on November 26.
Former West African leader Koroma was previously interrogated by police, who claimed he was an official suspect in the planning of the coup attempt. Koroma commanded the country from 2007 to 2018.
“The former president is charged with four offences, including treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harbouring,” a statement signed by Information Minister Chernor Bah said.
Armed assailants engaged in combat with security personnel on November 26 after breaking into a military armoury, two barracks, two jails, and two police stations.
Authorities believed there had been a coup attempt by members of the military forces, and before they could retake control, twenty-one people had died and hundreds of detainees had escaped.
In relation to the altercations, at least 80 people were detained, the majority of whom were members of the armed forces.
Early in December, the authorities announced that the former president had been detained in his house while being questioned.
“The former president is going home,” Koroma’s lawyer, Ady Macauley, told newsmen on Wednesday, adding that the case had been adjourned until January 17.
A large security detail was set up near the court in the capital Freetown where Koroma’s hearing was taking place.
Sierra Leone on Tuesday also charged 12 people with treason in connection with the coup attempt, including Amadu Koita, a former soldier and bodyguard of Koroma.
Koita was widely followed on social networks where he criticised the government of current President Julius Maada Bio, according to police.
