In the latest development surrounding the infamous November 26 Coup, new revelations have come to light regarding the involvement of Idrissa Ahmid Kamara, alias Leather Boot.
Contrary to initial reports claiming he was arrested at home and killed at Murray Town Barracks, evidence presented during a recent Court Martial trial suggests a different narrative.
The trial, which pitted the State against Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma and 26 others, provided substantial evidence about Leather Boot’s participation in the coup and the circumstances leading to his death.
Among the 188 exhibits presented by the prosecution, a significant photograph shows Leather Boot in a relaxed and confident posture at Mapaki Village in Paki Masabom Chiefdom, Bombali District. The image was taken after a Juju Ceremony in which participants allegedly fortified themselves against gunshots in preparation for the coup.
According to the Voluntary Cautioned Statement from the 1st Accused, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, Leather Boot and other coup plotters visited a Mapaki Village herbalist on November 24, 2023.
The herbalist, Pa Sesay, provided them with charms and belts intended for use during the coup operation. Koroma revealed that the group later traveled to Lungi to acquire more arms but were thwarted by Major MD Gbow.
Following this setback, they traveled to Freetown, where they were received by Sergeant Janneh and escorted to Headquarters, Joint Logistics Unit (HQ JLU).
On the day of the coup, a soldier allegedly discovered the group hiding in a small building. In response, Leather Boot reportedly grabbed a rifle and began shooting in an attempt to escape.
Staff Sergeant Koroma stated that he also tried to flee but found Leather Boot bleeding from a gunshot wound. Koroma then took Leather Boot’s rifle and hid in a nearby neighborhood, where he was later arrested.
During the trial, the prosecution presented 37 witnesses, including PW 22, who testified that Leather Boot had emerged from the building and shot Corporal Sam Kabba and Sergeant Thomas Rogers.
The witness further stated that Staff Sergeant Koroma and another accused, Corporal Alie Kamara alias Charma Raw, tried to escape during the chaos. While Kamara was apprehended shortly after, Koroma managed to evade capture for two days.
Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma faced 20 charges, including mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, murder, and other offenses. He pled guilty to nine counts, leading the prosecution to drop the remaining charges. Koroma was sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison.
This latest episode sheds new light on the events of November 26 and raises further questions about the true extent of Leather Boot’s involvement in the coup.
Source: Major Yayah Brima,
Headquarters, Joint Force Command, Cockerill Barracks
Freetown
Phone/WhatsApp: 078 452 876
