By Sahr Eric George
In the ongoing treason trial, Detective Sergeant Solomon Amadu has presented the statements of Thaimu Bangura, the second accused in the case concerning the failed coup attempt of November 26, 2023.
Detective Amadu appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 to testify in a case involving two charges: treason and misprision of treason.
According to the police, between June 24, 2023, and June 29, 2024, Bangura, along with Captain Alie Badara, allegedly conspired to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone through unlawful means. It is further alleged that between June 2023 and March 2024, Captain Badara operated a WhatsApp group titled “Movement to the Restoration of Democracy,” which was used to plan and coordinate the coup attempt.
The accused are also charged with conspiring with unknown individuals to stage a violent protest as a cover for their unlawful plot. The police allege that Bangura, knowing full well that Captain Senessie, Captain John Conteh, and others were preparing to overthrow the government, failed to report the conspiracy, thereby committing misprision of treason.
During the trial, Sgt. Amadu, the second prosecution witness, was led in his testimony by Yusuf Isaac Sesay, representing the state. Amadu, attached to the Operations Department at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, recounted that on Sunday, April 21, 2024, he and Detective Inspector Abu Bakarr Kargbo obtained an initial interview statement from Bangura. This interview was suspended and resumed on April 24, 2024.
Amadu further explained that Bangura’s interview was again suspended and later resumed on June 26, 2024. He produced and submitted Bangura’s statements to the court as evidence in the ongoing case.
The detective continued by stating that on July 29, 2024, he and Inspector Kargbo conducted a further interview with Bangura and obtained an additional statement, which was also submitted to the court. On the same day, they formally charged Bangura with two counts of treason and misprision of treason, with the charge statement being tendered as evidence.
Amadu disclosed that before obtaining the statements, Bangura’s Techno Spark phone was confiscated and handed over to the Cyber Unit at CID Headquarters for forensic examination.
During cross-examination led by defense attorney M. Kanu, Amadu confirmed that the decision to bring the case to court was based on the evidence he had gathered.
He acknowledged that no statement was obtained from an independent witness and that a team of investigators, rather than himself personally, visited Bangura’s residence.
When questioned about the source of his testimony, Amadu clarified that it was based solely on the evidence he received. He also revealed that Bangura was arrested on July 17, 2024.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail for both Bangura and Badara, ordering their continued detention at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
