Freetown, September 18, 2024 — The court martial trial involving Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma and 26 others resumed, delving into a critical aspect of the case: the financing of the alleged juju ceremony aimed at fortifying participants for a coup to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio.
During the trial, the prosecution presented pictorial evidence showing several of the accused, along with fugitives, participating in a juju ceremony at Mapaki Village, near Makeni City. The ceremony was allegedly performed in preparation for a coup to unseat President Bio. The evidence consisted of numerous photos identifying the accused and depicting scenes from the ceremony.
The accused, when confronted with the evidence, did not challenge the photos nor deny participating in the ceremony. However, opinions differed regarding the purpose of the ritual. While some, such as the 1st and 6th accused, admitted the ceremony was performed to “fortify their bodies against gunshots” in preparation for the coup, others denied that the ceremony had anything to do with plans to overthrow the president.
The 1st accused, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, admitted in his voluntary caution statement that he was invited by Amadu Koita to participate in the ceremony. He revealed, “Amadu Koita called me in October 2023 and said he planned to unseat President Bio. He later asked me to visit the Mapaki Village herbalist, Pa Sesay, for a traditional ceremony that would protect us during the operation.”
Koroma further disclosed that after the ceremony, Pa Sesay provided him with a herbalist belt and clothes, assuring him of protection during the coup attempt.
The 6th accused, Corporal Edward Koroma, alias Smallie, corroborated this, adding that a black goat was sacrificed as part of the ritual. He testified that Koita had financially sponsored the ceremony, stating, “The 4th accused confirmed to me that Koita had provided money for the expenses, and after the ceremony, I heard Koita on loudspeaker promising to send more money.”
On the other hand, the 3rd, 4th, 9th, and 18th accused denied any involvement in coup preparations. The 3rd accused, Staff Sergeant Bassie Conteh, admitted participating in the ceremony but insisted that it was for personal spiritual protection, not for overthrowing the president. “I visited the herbalist to end a court case brought against me, not for the purpose of unseating President Bio,” he testified.
Similarly, the 4th accused, Staff Sergeant Abu Dauda, acknowledged receiving protection rituals but denied the ceremony was linked to any coup plot. “I went to the herbalist for protection before deployment with the ECOWAS standby force,” he stated.
Amadu Koita, who was described as one of the architects of the failed November 26 coup, was recently sentenced to over a century in prison for his role in the treasonable offenses. His financial involvement in the juju ceremony remains central to the case.
The trial continues to attract national attention as the court martial seeks to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. Despite the denials from some accused persons, the prosecution has maintained that there is sufficient evidence linking all but two of the 27 accused to the coup plot. The 18th accused was discharged on the grounds of insanity, while the 19th accused was acquitted and discharged.
The court martial proceedings are ongoing, with further revelations expected in future sessions.
Source: Major Yayah Brima,
Media Operations Officer,
Headquarters, Joint Force Command, Cockerill Barracks, Freetown.
Phone/WhatsApp: 078 452 876
