Court Martial Delivers Heavy Sentences to Soldiers Involved in November 26 Attempted Coup 

On Friday, August 9, 2024, the 74th sitting of the Court Martial delivered verdicts and sentences for 25 military personnel accused of serious offenses, including mutiny and murder.

The accused were part of a trial involving soldiers involved in the November 26 attempted coup in Freetown.

Sentences Delivered:

– Sergeant Ibrahim Bundu Kamara (2nd accused): Found guilty on all 19 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Staff Sergeant Albert Bassie Conteh (3rd accused): Found guilty on all 29 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Staff Sergeant Abu Dauda (4th accused): Found guilty on all 32 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Corporal Thalie Marah (5th accused): Found guilty on all 44 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Corporal Edward Koroma alias Smallie (6th accused): Found guilty on all 14 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Sergeant Mohamed Kamara alias Ranger (7th accused): Found guilty on all 16 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 80 years.
– Lance Corporal Eustace Neka (8th accused): Found guilty on all 31 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Staff Sergeant Idrissa Kallon (9th accused): Found guilty on all 39 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Corporal John Turay alias Koko (10th accused): Found guilty on all 16 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 80 years.
– Corporal Aiah Gbenda (11th accused): Found guilty on all 7 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 70 years.
– Corporal Alie Kamara alias Charma Raw (12th accused): Found guilty on all 11 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Lance Corporal Musa Maligie alias Jambo (13th accused): Found guilty on all 40 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Private Abdul Razack Kamara (14th accused): Found guilty on all 40 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Sergeant Momoh Kargbo (15th accused): Found guilty on all 41 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 100 years.
– Warrant Officer Class 2 Philip Adikalie Turay alias Yamao Kati (16th accused): Found guilty on all 9 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 80 years.
– Lieutenant Colonel Charles James Mishek Yamba (17th accused): Found guilty on all 6 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Sergeant Kemoh Fofanah (20th accused): Found guilty on all 18 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura alias Tiger (21st accused): Found guilty on all 40 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Warrant Officer Class 2 Alpah Turay (22nd accused): Found guilty on all 7 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
– Corporal Abu Bakarr Turay (23rd accused): Found guilty on all 5 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 90 years.
– Sergeant Rashid Koroma (24th accused): Found guilty on all 5 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 90 years.
– Sergeant Omar Fayiah Lebbie (25th accused): Found guilty on all 5 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 50 years.
– Lance Corporal Hassan Sesay (26th accused): Found guilty on all 5 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 80 years.
– Lance Corporal Abu Samuel Kamara alias Agba (27th accused): Found guilty on all 6 counts. Sentenced to a maximum of 80 years.

Details of the Trial:

The Court Martial trial, which began on January 8, 2024, saw 27 accused persons initially arraigned on 88 charges. All the accused except Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma pleaded “Not Guilty.” Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, however, pleaded “Guilty” to nine charges and was sentenced to 30 years for six of those charges and one year each for the remaining three. His sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a total of 30 years in prison.

The trial for Lance Corporal Abu Bakarr Koroma alias Opanday, the 18th accused, was separated due to a medical condition, with his proceedings set to continue at a later date.

The charges faced by the accused included mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, and other serious offenses under the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone Act of 1961.

The prosecution, led by 14 lawyers including military personnel, presented 37 witnesses and 188 exhibits. The defense team, consisting of several prominent lawyers, presented 29 witnesses.

The Court Martial was presided over by Judge Advocate Lawyer Mark Ngegba and a panel of military officers.