In a developing treason case, Defense Counsel M.Y. Kanu has raised concerns about the extended detention of his clients, military officer Alie Badara Kanu, also known as Captain Makeni, and Thaimu Bangura.
The two men, who have been held in custody since April 2024, are yet to see significant progress in their preliminary investigation.
The defense’s frustration was heightened after the prosecution requested a second adjournment, citing the need to consult with witnesses. This comes despite earlier promises to present witnesses to the court, a commitment that remains unfulfilled.
Prosecuting Counsel Yusif Isaac Sesay acknowledged the gravity of the charges and hinted at a possible change in strategy in the upcoming hearing, though no further details were disclosed.
Despite pleas from the defense for a swifter resolution, Magistrate Santigie Bangura has adjourned the case to Wednesday, August 21, 2024, leaving the accused in custody until further hearings.
Kanu and Bangura face charges of treason and misprision of treason before Magistrate Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2. The indictment alleges that between June 24, 2023, and June 29, 2024, the two men conspired to overthrow the government unlawfully.
According to the prosecution, the accused used a WhatsApp group named “Movement to the Restoration of Democracy” to coordinate with co-conspirators and plan the coup.
The charges further allege that Bangura, with others, recruited members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, police, and ex-military personnel, procured arms, and held meetings at Camp Junction Waterloo and Four Mile to advance their plot.
Additional allegations include that Bangura distributed weapon codes to military deployments on March 1, 2024, and April 15, 2024, with the intention of using a violent protest as a cover for their illegal actions.
The indictment also implicates Kanu and Bangura for their alleged failure to report the involvement of key figures such as Ceaser, Captain Senessie, and Captain John Conteh, further tying them to the conspiracy.
