Ex-Sierra-Leone President Koroma Invited by Police Over Failed Nov 26 Coup

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Former President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Koroma, has been invited by the police in the country in connection with the November 26th failed coup in the West African country.

Koroma was president of Sierra Leone between 2007 and 2018.

Information Minister Chernor Bah said in a statement on Thursday that Koroma is invited to report to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown within 24 hours.

Koroma said he would honour the invitation. In a statement, he said: “I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy.”

He also called on the public to remain calm.

Gunmen had attacked a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone last month, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people in what the authorities said afterwards was an attempt to overthrow the government.

The government said the failed coup was led mostly by the former president’s bodyguards. Koroma condemned the attacks in a statement shortly after they happened.

So far, 71 people have been arrested in the context of the ongoing investigation, including 45 serving military officers, seven serving police officers and 13 civilians, said information minister Bah.