Freetown, 15th October 2024 – Lance Corporal Eustace Neka, one of the 27 individuals accused of involvement in the November 26 coup attempt, has offered an explanation during his court martial trial for being left behind by his colleagues during the attack on Pademba Road and the Special Court Complex.
Out of the 27 accused, 25 have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the coup, which resulted in the deaths of 18 security personnel and two civilians. Neka, the 8th accused in the trial, is among those convicted of multiple charges, including murder, and was sentenced to 120 years in prison.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Neka was actively involved in the plot to overthrow President Bio and to free over 2,000 inmates from the country’s custodial facilities.
According to the testimony of a key prosecution witness, Neka was part of a fighting unit tasked with repelling assailants at Wilberforce Barracks.
However, during a chaotic retreat to safety, the witness testified that Neka went missing. In an audio message presented in court, Neka inquired about the whereabouts of his fellow assailants, explaining that he had been left behind during the attack on the Pademba Road facilities. Despite his denial of being left behind, Neka was convicted of all 31 charges against him.
The next phase of the court martial trials is set to begin on 17th October 2024.
Source: Major Yayah Brima, Media Operations Officer, Joint Force Command, Cockerill Barracks, Freetown.