In spite of his unparalleled popularity during and after his tenure, former President Koroma’s current rating is at an all-time low as he stands on the threshold of indictment.
It is now reported by credible news agencies that the former President may be indicted by International Criminal Court (ICC) for undermining democracy and good governance in Sierra Leone which is a signatory to several international conventions and treaties on democracy and good governance.
A credible online media which shares their findings with Night watch press shows that the ex-President’s name has been included in a long list of indictees for election-related crimes, money laundering offences and human rights abuses. Quite recently, the flame of justice was burned at the premises of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, a move that sent a signal that justice is at hand. Judges have been and the ICC Chief Prosecutor, Karim Kahn has repeatedly visited Sierra Leone and held discussions with high profile government officials including President Julius Maada Bio. The first meeting took place in New York after a UN summit where Kahn sought President Bio’s cooperation to ensure justice in Sierra Leone.
For years after he left State House, the former President has been battling with allegations of undermining the credibility of June 24, 2023 elections by secretly supporting the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and undermining the opposition leader, Dr. Samura Kamara who many said won the election.
Koroma, according to credible sources, has been secretly undermining Sierra Leone’s democratic process, but came out in the open in an audio that had gone viral on social media platforms.
While in exile after he was indicted for financing a coup to remove President Julius Maada Bio from power, Ernest Koroma said without hesitation that “the election is over,” referring to June 24, 2023 election.
He went on to state that the main tactic of ending an election dispute is to bring the opposition leader to the negotiation table making reference to Zambia and Kenya where he observed the most controversial elections.
As if he was trying to score a last-minute goal, he blames everything on Samura Kamara who, he accused of single-handedly meeting President Bio for talks without consultation.
It was a decision, according to the ex-President that Samura ought not to have taken such decision adding that it would hunt him for the rest of his life. Suffice it to say the decision to negotiate with President Bio is a shot in Samura’s leg. Such statements were interpreted by many as a sellout on the part of the former President and sounded offensive against majority of Sierra Leoneans especially grassroots members of the APC. Such statements are also calculated to dampen the effort of the international community in the restoration of democracy in Sierra Leone especially when the Tripartite Committee recommendations are on the verge of implementation.
A probe conducted by the Election Investigation Committee (EIC) popularly known as the Tripartite found out that the election body ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone) failed to produce the much-desired result to support their announced victory in June 24, 2023 election. On the other hand, the opposition leader, Dr. Samura Kamara produced verified RRFs (Result Reconciliation Forms) which conferred a landslide victory for the opposition, All People’s Congress (APC).
According to the figures, the opposition leader got 57.15 percent while the ruling party scored 39.40 percent of the total votes.
Apart from election offences, the former President also is wrestling with money-laundering and corruption, crimes which have universal jurisdiction.
Universal jurisdiction, in law, means the offender could be arrested and tried in any part of the world and could be jailed if found guilty.
Money-laundering crimes are serious and sensitive since they are closely linked to the financing of global terrorism.
During his tenure, the former President is alleged to have committed such offences for which he was being sought after by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC).
ACC officials were  frequent in Makeni, the hometown of the former President for interrogations and possible prosecution. But, the interest of peace and stability delayed the investigation of Ernest Koroma not until treason case took him into exile.
Since he could not be prosecuted here, it is possible that the former President could be humbled in an international court come what may.