Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has returned home after spending more than two years in Nigeria, following the discontinuation of criminal proceedings against him over an alleged attempted coup.

Koroma left Nigeria for Freetown on Sunday, September 6, 2026, about two and a half years after travelling to the country on medical grounds while facing treason charges in Sierra Leone.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed Koroma’s departure in a post on X, saying he was pleased to see the former Sierra Leonean leader return home.

Jonathan said Nigeria had provided Koroma with “friendship, support and solidarity” during his stay and that efforts were made behind the scenes to encourage dialogue with Sierra Leonean authorities and facilitate his safe and dignified return.

Koroma travelled to Nigeria in January 2024 after a Sierra Leonean High Court granted him permission to leave the country for medical treatment. He had been indicted over allegations that he was involved in a November 2023 attempt to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio’s government.

The former president, who ruled Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, denied any involvement in the alleged coup attempt.

The November 2023 unrest saw gunmen attack military barracks and a prison, leading to the release of about 2,200 inmates. More than 20 people were killed in the violence.

Koroma’s lawyers had described the charges against him as politically motivated and “trumped up.”

In July 2026, Sierra Leonean authorities discontinued the criminal proceedings against Koroma and removed the case from the court’s docket. Attorney-General Alpha Sasay also confirmed that Koroma’s bail conditions had ended with immediate effect.

The Attorney-General, however, did not disclose the reason for the decision to discontinue the case.