By Fatima Kpaka
The court-martial trial for seven military officers accused of participating in the failed November 2023 coup commenced on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Cockerill in Freetown. Presided over by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and a seven-member military board led by Colonel SMO George, the accused were arraigned on ten charges including mutiny, desertion, and conspiring to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone.
The accused—Major Bai Sesay, Staff Sergeant Joseph Conteh (alias Boy Pikin), Sergeant Alimamy Conteh (alias Next Man), Corporal Alpha Wurie Conteh, Lance Corporal Ibrahim Kuyateh, Lance Corporal Lahai Kemoh, and Sergeant Baimba Bangura (alias Maggie)—all pleaded not guilty to the charges read against them.
The charges stem from events between November 21-26, 2023, during which the state alleges the officers conspired with others to use violence to overthrow the government. Notably, the fifth accused, Lance Corporal Ibrahim Kuyateh, is alleged to have incited another soldier, Lance Corporal Sia Juliana Mbayoh, to participate in the coup attempt.
The indictment also accuses Major Bai Sesay of communicating intelligence to enemies with the intent to assist in overthrowing the government, while Lance Corporal Lahai Kemoh is charged with desertion after going AWOL between November 2023 and March 2024.
After the charges were explained, lead state prosecutor Joseph AK Sesay requested an adjournment, which defense attorney Ibrahim Bangura, representing most of the accused, did not oppose. However, Bangura applied for legal access to be granted to his clients while in detention, which Judge Ngegba approved.
The trial is set to continue on October 21, 2024, with the accused remaining in custody. The prosecution is led by a robust team including lawyer JAK Sesay and several military officers, while the defense team is spearheaded by lawyers Bangura, Gabba, and Chernor Kamara.