Sierra Leone’s ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma has been charged with four offences including treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the West African country’s government in November.

A court in the capital Freetown affirmed this yesterday, although the decision could escalate tensions in Sierra Leone coming after the attempted coup and a contentious election in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in June 2023.

A high court later on Wednesday granted bail to the former president, who is currently restricted at his home in the capital. The case was adjourned until Jan. 17.

A letter from West Africa’s main regional bloc, ECOWAS, dated Tuesday, said Nigeria had offered to host Koroma on a temporary basis, and that the former president had accepted the offer.

Twelve other people also have been charged with treason in connection with the failed coup, including ex-police and correctional officers and a member of Koromoa’s security detail.