The Liberian government announced on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, the arrest and extradition of a former Sierra Leonean police chief, accused of plotting a coup against President Julius Maada Bio.
In a statement, Liberian Information Minister Ledgerhood Rennie said Mohammed Toure had been arrested at the request of the Sierra Leone government.
” The Government of Liberia has taken a decision to remove from its territory the former Chief of Police of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mr. Mohammed Y Toure – also known as “Sankoh Paul Alimamy” and “Yeate Yeate”, read the document which ended that Mr. Toure was apprehended in Monrovia by Liberian security forces “at the request of the Sierra Leonean authorities on the allegation of helping plan subversive activities intended to unseat the Government of President Julius Maada Bio”.
“Following preliminary investigations in Liberia, and given the assurances of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone that the rights of the accused will be respected, including his rights to a free, fair and speedy trial, the Liberian Government decided it was appropriate to hand over Mr. Toure to the Government of Sierra Leone as requested by the authorities in that country.”
The news comes amid another West African country, Niger, which is facing mounting pressure to restore a democratic government following the July 26 overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum.