One of the lawyers representing former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Ady Macauley Esq. has firmly denied that Amadu Koita Makalo, one of the individuals convicted in connection with last November’s alleged coup attempt, had ever served as a bodyguard to the former president, contrary to certain claims.
“I cannot speak of Amadu Koita Makalo because I did not represent him, but what I can say with authority is that he has never been a bodyguard of former President Ernest Bai Koroma,” asserted Lawyer Macauley, in an interview with VOA.
This statement comes after a court convicted Amadu Koita and 11 individuals on charges of treason related to the alleged coup attempt and sentenced them to lengthy prison terms.
Providing an update on the proceedings involving former President Koroma, Macauley noted that the trial has not yet commenced in the high court.
“We are still in the Magistrate Court. We have not yet gone to the high court where the trial is meant to properly take place,” he explained.
Macauley also mentioned that former President Koroma is currently in Nigeria for medical reasons but is expected to return to Sierra Leone when necessary.
“He is doing okay. Resting and go8mg through his retirement,” Lawyer Macauley noted.
The Judiciary of Sierra Leone recently announced that Koroma’s trial has been postponed to November 16, 2024. He faces charges of treason, misprision of treason, and two counts of harboring, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.