Sierra Leone ex-president a suspect in coup attempt - Police

Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has been declared a suspect in the ongoing investigation over last month's attempted coup.

Mr Koroma, who was granted bail on Saturday, has been under house arrest.

Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu on Tuesday said Mr Koroma is not in police custody as the force is “giving him the respect he needs for now”.

“That does not mean he is above the law," Mr Sellu added.

He said that 80 suspects were in police custody, among them serving and dismissed military officers, serving and retired police officers, civilians and a correctional service officer.

Mr Koroma's daughter, Dankay Koroma, was also named among 54 wanted suspects in a list the police updated on Tuesday.

The government has promised a monetary reward to anyone with information that could lead to the capture of these suspects.

Mr Koroma last week said he would “trust due process and the rule of law to prevail”.

Meanwhile, Ecowas, an alliance of West African countries, has approved the deployment of its military to Sierra Leone.