By Fatima Kpaka
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No: 2 has on Wednesday 19th June 2024 remanded George Adams, former military personnel with force number 18172457, for allegedly participating in the November 26th failed coup.
The accused George Adams made his first appearance in court and was arraigned on the charges of Treason, Misprison of Treason and Murder.
According to the indictments on counts one, it was alleged that the accused George Adams on the 11th and 26th day of November 2023 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the government of the Republic of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The police further alleged on the overt act that the accused between the 5th and 26th of November 2023, in Sierra Leone conspired together with unknown persons to overthrow the government of Sierra in that they agreed to seize and take control of the 5th battalion of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces headquarters, at Wilberforce Barracks, Cockerill, 3rd Infantry Brigade headquarters, Sierra Leone Correctional Centres in Freetown, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation in order to overthrow and take control of the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
It was further alleged that the accused on the 26th of November 2023 conspired with other persons unknown in that endeavour to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means violently attacked, broke open the Male and Female Correctional Centres in Freetown and unlawfully released inmates from the said Centres.
It was further alleged on counts two that the accused on diverse dates between the 23rd and 25th of November 2023, in Freetown knowing that treason was being committed by Amadu Koita Makolo, Leatherboot, Captain Jalloh, Sorieba Mansaray and other persons unknown unlawfully concealed the commission that crime.
On the third count the accused on the 26th of November 2023, at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre in Freetown is said to have murdered Obi Isaac Johnson.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
The prosecutor DSP Sorie Conteh requested for the matter to be adjourned on the grounds that his witnesses were absent and therefore he could not proceed.
Defense counsel Ady Macauley informed the court that that was the second time the matter was coming up with no progress being made.
Magistrate Bangura however refused bail and adjourned the matter to Monday 24th June 2024.