Twenty-Seven serving military personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have appeared before Senior Magistrate Mark Ngegba at High court No.1 in Freetown on 88 counts charges in the ongoing Court Martial Pre-trial Hearing of military personnel who allegedly took part in the November 26, 2023 failed coup.
They were not arraigned because one of them was absent, however, they are bordering on Mutiny to Overthrow the Government, Failure to Suppress Mutiny, Aiding the Enemy, Communicating with the Enemy, Stealing of Public or Service Property, Fraudulent Misapplication of Public or Service Property and Murder.
No pleas were taken from the accused because before the charges could be read out to them, one of them fell ill in the court and was taken away.
The Prosecution is expected to lead 52 witnesses save as inputted and it is being led by Senior State Council, Joseph K. Sesay while the accused persons are represented by battery of defense attorneys including Ade Macaulay Esq., Melron Nicol Wilson Esq., Julian Cole Esq. and Legal Aid Board for unrepresented accused persons.
The proceeding is guided by the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Act, 1961 as amended among others.
Case has been adjourned to 10th January, 2024 at 9:30am.
Under normal procedures, it ought to take place at the military headquarters at Cockeril but reports from the Judiciary revealed that due to space, they had to change it.
A Court Martial is a military tribunal, with military personnel conducting the trial.
Government had arrested 80 suspects in connection with the incident, including 50 serving military officers, 5 dismissed military officers, 7 serving police officers, 1 retired police officer, 1 correctional officer, 15 civilians and former President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Last week, former President Koroma and 12 others, were charged to court for Treason and related offences.
The Court Martial is expected to linger on for a while and former President Koroma is expected to reappear in court on 17th January, 2024.
