AYV News, August 6, 2024

The Prosecution and Defense Councils in the ongoing Court Martial proceedings of 26 serving soldiers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces accused for Treason will continue this morning in Freetown.

The Proceedings started yesterday with both Councils delivering their closing addresses at Court No. 2 in the Main Law Court Building on Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown.

Colonel Issa Bangura, Director of Defence Public Relations and Information said the Defence is expected to summarise the entire case, highlighting any weaknesses in the Prosecution’s arguments and explaining why they believe the Prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence against the accused.

He said conversely, the Prosecution will argue that they have presented ample evidence to warrant the conviction of all 26 accused persons, adding that this closing session marks a crucial point in the court martial proceedings, as the arguments presented could significantly influence the final verdict.

The accused persons are 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.