By Hassan Osman Kargbo
His Excellency former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has called for calm ahead of him honouring Police invite for questioning at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown.
He made the appealed shortly after government’s announcement of the former president’s invitation for interrogations by the police to help with investigations into the alleged failed 26 November 2023 coup attempt.
The former president’s call for calm emerged following the Sierra Leone Police issuance of invite on Thursday 7 December 2023, calling on former President Koroma to report at the CID headquarters in Freetown for questioning in connection with the reported Sunday 26 November 2023 attacked on the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) armoury the Wilberforce Barrack, and other strategic security installations in Freetown.
In lieu of that, the Office of Former President Ernest Bai Koroma on Thursday 7 December 2023 also issued a press release, stating that he would be traveling to Freetown to honour the aforementioned invite from the Sierra Leone Police.
The former President noted that he maintained an open mind and stand ready to support Police investigations to the fullest.
‘I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the Rule of Law reigns supreme in our democracy,’ said former President Koroma.
In that regard, former President Koroma appealed for calm for public support for the police investigation, and for the due process of the law.
The notice continued that the Police need to hear from former President Koroma in connection with the ongoing criminal investigations into the November 26 failed attempted coup in Sierra Leone.
‘The former President is invited to assist the Police in the ongoing criminal investigations into the November 26 failed attempted coup in Sierra Leone,’ the notice stated.
According to the Public Notice from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education dated 7 December 2023, the Sierra Leone Police has summoned the former President of Sierra Leone for investigations in Freetown within a period of 24 hours.
It could be recalled that former President Koroma openly condemned the failed attempted coup via his official social medial handles on the very day of the attack; ‘I also condemn the tragic loss of Corporal Eddie Conteh, a dedicated military guard assigned to me who was killed on duty at my residence in Freetown. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Warrant Officer John Swarray was also taken away from my residence in Freetown. I look forward to his safe return. The former president furthered that; ‘The path to stability lies in our commitment to democratic values. I urge all stakeholders to prioritize the well-being and stability of our beloved nation. #PeacefulDialogue #StabilityFirst.’
Speaking recently in several media interviews in Freetown, the Chief of Defence Staff, RSLAF, Lieutenant General Peter K. Lavahun disclosed that “there is no direct association between the attempted coup and the ex-president”.
