The second accused Mohamed Jalloh in his statement read therefore the court by Sergeant Issa Kamara  said that sometime in March 2023 they made plans to overthrow the government and after their failed operations on 26 November 2023 he sneaked into Bai Mamoud Bangura’s home without his knowledge.

He also stated that they did not arrange the coup to kill people but their only plan was to arrest President Bio and send him into exile to Guinea.

Sergeant 8526 Issa Kamara read this statement yesterday before Justice Komba Kamanda and the twelve panels of juries at the ongoing treason trial involving Amadu Koita Makolo and eleven others.

Led in evidence by state Counsel Ahmed James Bockarie, Sergeant Kamara before reading the statements of accused Mohamed Jalloh tendered it before the court and was marked as exhibit S1-35.

While reading the statements accused Jalloh the witness said at first the accused said he had no knowledge of the allegation levied against him about the coup but later made a confessional statement.

Witness Jalloh in his statement said he joined the Armed Forces in 1999 and went through the training school at Benguma, after which he was given the rank of Lance Corporal.

The witness furthered that accused Jalloh in his statement stated that he left the Armed Forces without leave because he had set his mind on traveling to Germany.

Witness Kamara continued that accused Jalloh, further in his statement, said before leaving the force he should hand over uniforms and whatever belongs to the force but he did not.

Accused Jalloh said before the Incident he received a call from Alhaji Koroma of the Eleventh Battalion and he told him that he got a call from Koita who wanted him to be part of the coup.

Witness Kamara said accused Jalloh also told the investigation team that after the call some months later he received the sum of two million, three hundred thousand old Leones and Alhaji, another accused, told him that it was transport fare for him to travel from Freetown to Kambia and the money was sent by Koita.

Accused Jalloh furthered that when he went to Kambia a meeting was held in a cashew nut farm and there Koita told them that they want to liberate the army.

Reading the statements further accused Jalloh said he asked Koita about his safety but Koita told him that senior officers are also involved in the coup and so he should not fear.

Jalloh further told the Police that Koita then opened his laptop and called out the people that are involved in the coup including Lahai Laurence Leema.

Accused Jalloh also told them that they should give him time to think, and he immediately left for Freetown and went to Bai Mamoud Bangura’s house.

Witness Kamara further read that Bai Mamoud Bangura drove him out of his house after noticing their plans and Bai Mamoud told him that he is a politician and would not want problems, adding that he left but was still going to Bai Mamoud’s house when he was not around.

Witness Kamara reading further said accused Jalloh also told the police that he and the other coup members held several meetings at Aberdeen beach and Wilberforce and they went to one Pa Sesay for fortification of their bodies. Accused Jalloh furthered that before the incident, at 11:00 hrs, he left Freetown for Makeni for the fortification and there he met Koita and other military personnel for the protection.  Soriba Samura and Koita asked him to kill Bai Mamoud Bangura for betraying them because he sent him out of his house he told them that he would not as they  do it after the operation.

Accused Jalloh furthered that after the fortification he returned to Freetown and he stopped at Rogbangba village and there he saw his friend by the name of John who took him to a wedding party and later left there without his knowledge.

Accused Jalloh in his statement furthered that on 26 November last year he went to Wilberforce and he sat at the door of the arms store and observed that the main light at Wilberforce was off.

Accused Jalloh furthered that later the key of a black jeep was handed over He furthered in his statement that during that time firing was ongoing rapidly between them and the soldiers and there Colonel Mondeh was killed.

Aceused Jalloh furthered that he became angry at his colleagues for killing people and ask Sergeant Amerikin that they should escape.

He said he later went to the home of Bai Mahmoud Bangura unknowingly and he went to his previous room and switched off his phone,

Witness Kamara further read that accused Jalloh said after two days he surrendered himself to the Police and the Police went to Bai Mamoud’s house were they requested to search his house with his consent but nothing of Police interest was found except two military uniforms.

Accused Jalloh in his statement further stated that Koita told him to join the coup because he is a hard fighter and Koita promised to give him a high position after taking over.

Acused Jallah furthered that during the coup he plays two roles, one is, a recognisance, and two operational driver.

He told the investigators that Sergeant Janneh who is on the run gave him the military uniforms for the operation on 26 November.

He furthered that the arms and ammunition were placed in a black Jeep and driven to Jui by a soldier of the Eleventh Battalion as Jui was an exit route.

Accused Jalloh also stated that the arms and ammunitions were taken from the store but did not know where they are presently.

Witness Kamara further read the accused Jalloh told them that one Hawa was working with them at Wilberforce but she is presently on the run. He furthered that their plan was to arrest Bio and send him on exile to Guinea but not to kill him and he that Leather Boot was part of them.

Defense council sought for an adjournment that he wanted to confer with his client before continuing his cross examination. 

The matter was adjourned to 6th March, 2024.