The treason matter of former President Ernest Bai Koroma has been adjourned again by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court no.2 in Freetown.

The ruling follows after a waiting on both the prosecution and defense counsels to be in court for hearing.

On the matter the DPP Osman I Kanu and the defense counsel Saidu Bangura had a closed door meeting with the Magistrate.

Former president Ernest Koroma was arraigned before the court on four count charges of treason, and on two counts for harbouring individuals who were planning a coup which is considered a crime in Sierra Leone.

The indictment states that Ernest Bai Koroma on diverse dates between November 5 and 26 November, 2023 in Sierra Leone contrived a plan to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.

Another charge sheet states that Ernest Bai Koroma between 20 November and 25 November, 2023 harboured the following people: Soriba Mansaray, Yapo Sesay,  Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura, Sergeant 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara, and Kabba Dumbuya in his premises in preparedness to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone.

An additional charge further indicates that the former president on 29 November, 2023 in Makeni, knew well  that Soriba Mansaray, Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura and Yapo Sesay had prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone but went ahead to host them in his premises, a claim the ex-president’s defence team had strongly denied in court.

It could be recalled that on January 17, 2024, ex-president Koroma was granted permission at the High Court in Freetown, by Justice Samuel Taylor to depart from Sierra Leone to Nigeria for urgent medical treatment.

This decision followed a successful bail review application submitted by his legal team, requesting for their client ninety-days out of the country to enable the accused to go for a medical treatment in Nigeria.

The defense team representing Ernest Bai Koroma was at the High Court seeking an extension of time from the High Court.

After both prosecution and defense counsels failed to appear in court, Magistrate Bangura however adjourned the matter to 18th November, 2024.