Lawyer Bamie Davies Calls for Binding Settlement in Ex-President Koroma Case

A lawyer has called for a binding resolution to the case involving former President Ernest Bai Koroma, warning that the absence of a final agreement could create room for future disputes.

Speaking on Epic Radio, Public Relations Officer of Lawyers Society, Claude Bamie Davies, Esq., said the decision to discontinue proceedings against Koroma has sparked discussions over whether the matter has reached a final and lasting settlement.

Davies said several engagements involving the All People’s Congress (APC), the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), ECOWAS and some Heads of State have taken place in an effort to address issues surrounding the case.

“We have seen instances where the Government and the main opposition agreed on the Tripartite recommendations but later returned to dispute them. One thing is certain, there has been an issue of trust between the Government and the main opposition,” he said.

The lawyer argued that a full trial would have provided a clearer legal outcome, noting that an acquittal would have eliminated uncertainty over whether the State could revisit the matter in the future.

“It would have been better if he had gone to trial and then been acquitted. At that point, the State would have no opportunity to bring the matter back,” Davies said.

Davies acknowledged that the Attorney-General has the legal authority to discontinue a prosecution, but stressed that such a decision does not constitute a court determination on guilt or innocence.

He cited the principle of presumption of innocence, noting that Koroma remains presumed innocent because the matter was not determined through a full trial process.

“At this stage, the former President is still presumed innocent,” he said.

The lawyer also referenced ongoing debates surrounding Section 46, saying some people believe Koroma should have been subjected to a full trial.

“There are some debates around Section 46 that the former President should have gone through a full trial, which would have been a better option,” Davies said.

Davies further advised that any future arrangement concerning the matter should include a binding agreement to prevent possible disputes from resurfacing.

“If I were the former President’s legal adviser, I would ensure that this matter is never brought up again and that there is a binding agreement on it,” he said.

He added that without such certainty, questions could remain over whether the matter might be revisited in the future.