By Alimatu Jalloh
Twenty-Seven Military Officers are to be arraigned on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 before a Court Martial presided over by the Judge Advocate, Marke Ngegba and seven Court Members who are Military Officers.
The accused persons are expected to be before the court to answer to 88 count charges including Mutiny, Aiding the Enemy, Failure to Suppress a Mutiny, committing a Civilian Offence and Stealing of Public or Service Property among others in respect of their alleged involvement in the failed Coup attempt of November 26, 2023.
The 27 military officers who are to be arraigned are:
RSLAF/18171601 S/SGT Alhaji Koroma,
RSLAF/18171922 SGT Ibrahim Bundu Kamara (Alias Amerikin),
RSLAF/18172996 SGT Albert Bassie Conteh,
RSLAF/18174602 S/SGT Abu Dauda,
RSLAF/18172834 CPL Thalie Marah,
RSLAF/18177731 CPL Edward Koroma (Alias Smallie),
RSLAF/18169620 SGT Mohamed Kamara (Alias Ranger),
RSLAF/18181624 L/CPL Eustace Neka,
RSLAF/18168075 S/SGT Idrissa Kallon,
RSLAF/18177860 CPL John Turay (Alias Koko),
RSLAF/18177201 CPL Gbenda Aiah,
RSLAF/18178659 CPL Alie Kamara (Alias Charma Raw),
RSLAF/18179779 L/CPL Musa Maligie (Alias Jambo),
RSLAF 18181346 PTE Abdul Razack Kamara,
RSLAF/18180507 SGT Kargbo Momoh,
RSLAF/18178210 WO2 Philip Adikalie Turay (Alias Yamao-Kati),
SL 909 LT COL Charles James Mishek Yamba,
RSLAF/ 18180173 L/CPL Abu Bakarr Koroma (Alias Opanday),
RSLAF/18167293 WO1 Sitta Dumbuya,
RSLAF/18179330 SGT Fofanah Kemoh,
RSLAF/18172098- S/SGT Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura (Alias Tiger),
RSLAF/18177865 WO2 Turay Alpha,
RSLAF/18181863 CPL Abu Bakarr Turay,
RSLAF/18181615 SGT Rashid Koroma,
RSLAF/18179346 SGT Omar Fayiah Lebbie,
RSLAF/18181739 L/CPL Hassan Sesay, and
RSLAF/18182409 L/CPL Abu Samuel Kamara (Alias AGBA).
In preparation ahead of the trial on Wednesday, a pre-trial hearing had been conducted during which directions were given to both the Prosecution and the Defense.
The State was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Osman Kanu and a battery of Lawyers from the Law Officers’ Department and the Military, while all accused persons were also represented by their respective lawyers.
Representing the 17th accused, Lawyer Julian Cole raised an objection pursuant to Section 89 of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone Act 1961 as amended which he argued “provides for the accused persons be granted the opportunity to object against any member of the court before the oath is administered to them.”
He emphasized that the defense is interested in the “wellbeing of the proceedings” which calls for “due process” to be followed.
Representing the 9th accused person and over 15 other accused persons, Lawyer I. Bangura informed the court that the 9th accused person suffers from epilepsy.
In replying, Lawyer Joseph A. K. Sesay for the State objected to the point raised by the defense for the 9th accused, and urged the court to discountenance the application of Lawyer Bangura.
The Judge Advocate, Mark Ngegba dismissed the said objection in the absence of any medical evidence/report before the court in respect of the medical condition of the 9th accused.
He used the occasion to caution members of the press, social media bloggers and lawyers to be mindful of the sanctity of the court and the proceedings, stressing that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone who goes against the laws that cover court proceedings, and soon after adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 10th January for arraignment and further proceedings.