In a pivotal moment at the ongoing court martial, Lead Prosecutor Joseph Sesay delivered a compelling closing address yesterday, asserting that the prosecution had provided ample evidence to convict all accused military personnel.
The accused face a total of 88 charges related to a failed coup on November 26, 2023.
Sesay underscored the severity of the allegations, highlighting the accused’s breach of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces Act.
He reminded Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and the board members of the profound implications of their alleged actions, which included mutiny and murder among other offences, charged against 27 soldiers on January 8, 2024.
The prosecutor detailed the case of Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, who pleaded guilty to some charges and not guilty to others, resulting in his sentencing.
Koroma’s testimony implicated others and detailed the crime’s execution, reinforcing the prosecution’s argument that all 26 remaining accused acted in concert.
Sesay maintained that the state had met its burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt, warranting convictions for each accused. He stressed the board should base their verdict solely on the evidence presented, which illustrated the accused’s conspiracy to unlawfully overthrow the government, resulting in deaths and the illegal procurement of weapons.
He recounted how the accused facilitated movements and provided arms to the coup conspirators.
Sesay emphasized that the accused’s actions, including the failure to prevent weapon theft and subsequent attacks, represented a gross dereliction of duty and resulted in fatalities among military personnel, police officers, and civilians.
In his final remarks, Sesay urged the board members to carefully consider the evidence and retire a guilty verdict based on the prosecution’s comprehensive case.
