2023-12-13 02:02:43
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma was questioned again by the Freetown police in the investigation into the November 26 coup attempt. His former and current guards are suspected of participating in the attack on at least one armory and a prison last month. Ernest Koroma is now one of the main suspects in these troubles. In the background, a political rivalry pits him against the current head of state Julius Maada Bio.
Published on: 13/12/2023 – 03:02
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« No one should think they are above the law “, Police Chief Fayia Sellu said Tuesday during a weekly press conference. “ Questioning of former president to continue until sufficient evidence is gathered “, he said.
If the Sierra Leonean government accuses Ernest Koroma’s guards in the November 26 coup attempt, the evidence is lacking. A photo shown of ex-Koroma security officer Amadu Koita brandishing a gun during the prison attack has raised doubts over its authenticity.
This new hearing of the former head of state comes a few days after a verdict from the Court of Appeal which opened the way for proceedings against him for abuse of power during his former mandate, from 2007-2018.
All this is not a coincidence, believes Idriss Mamoud Tarawallie, a political scientist who points out the political rivalry between Koroma and current president Julius Maada Bio. “ They’re not exactly friends. I believe the aim is to put pressure on the former president because he continues to play an important role in Sierra Leonean politics, and he exercises an influence that the current president does not like. The vagueness of the evidence is the perfect opportunity for the government to arrest people with whom it disagrees politically. »
The police chief said Ernest Koroma will either remain in custody or be released on bail.
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