President of the Seven Board Member Committee following the guilty plea of the first accused RSLAF 1817601 Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma told court that if the first accused person found guilty by the court, he would face a life imprisonment sentence.

He continued that the accused person pleaded guilty to a nine-count charge and pleaded not guilty to the rest of the charges put forward to him in court.

The lead prosecutor and director of Public Prosecution, Osman Ibrahim Kanu accepted the guilty plea of the first accused person.

Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba also admonished that the court would accept the guilty plea of the first accused on the nine count charges he admitted to.

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The opening remarks of the case was made by the lead prosecutor Osman Kanu, according to the prosecution the burden and standard of proof beyond all reasonable doubt rests on the shoulders of the prosecution and as such the act of all accused persons violates the Acts and Provis of the RSLAF.

In his address to the court stated that the events of Novemeber 26th 2023 was planned and prepared over time. According to the lead prosecutor, they illegally obtained arms and ammunition from strategic battalions such from Lungi to Kambia to Freetown and also alleged that most of these accused persons visited an herbalist to give them charms to help out with their operations and murdered loyal military personnel’s, some assisted with the operations, communicated with the enemy. “Some were aware of the operations but failed to report the information to their commanding officers,” lead prosecutor said.

Lead defence counsel Ady Maculey Esq in his defence address to the Judge Advocate and seven Board Members said the accused persons facing trial are serving members of the Armed Forces and as such risked their lives in protecting the country, wherein some of these members lost their lives during the said date.

According to Mr Maculey, “I am angry about what happened, because it should not have happened.” He reminded the Seven Board members of their oath taken of the factual evidence if the trial to be dealt with without emotions.

In his words, he said, “You are here to determine whether 27 serving members of the Armed Forces are guilty of these charges. You are here to decide the facts and facts only without fear or favor,” Ady Maculey said.

He went on to say that the picturesque evidence that would be presented of the accused persons depicted the faces of the accused persons, and it should not be taken at face value.

He added that a picture can has different meaning depending on the circumstances.

Additionally, he said that the prosecution would call witnesses to testify of the phone calls the accused persons received and the accused persons would equally call on witnesses to testify to that effect that the doubts from these evidences should be exercised in favor of the accused persons.

In conclusion, he addressed them, “I see men of honor, integrity, and purpose, and the oath you have taken will lead to a final decision of all accused persons.

First Prosecution Witness (PW1) Lieutenant Conel Bockarie Marrah was led in witness by prosecuting counsel Joseph K. Sesay Esq.

He outlined his duties as a commanding officer attached to the Armed Forces Personnel Centre.

His duties are keeping records of members of the RSLAF, and he identified all accused persons in the Dock stating the ranks, unit, and numbers of each accused person.

A printout of the accused persons’ record was presented to the witness for identification to which it was tendered and produced and marked exhibit A1-31 with no objection from all defiance counsels.

Second Prosecution Witness Captain Sheku Tunkara testified to which the prosecution witnessed invoked Section 91 sub section 2 (Act No.34) of 1961. Members of the public, including media institutions were asked to leave the court room due to the critical witness that would testify on the security apparatus of the country.