Joseph A. K. Sesay, lead state counsel in the ongoing court martial trial of 26 military personnel in his closing address, contend that the 2nd accused, Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Bundu Kamara, and the 3rd accused, Staff Sergeant Albert Bassie Conteh, attempted to overthrow the government of President Julius Maada Bio on 26th November, 2023.

State Counsel Sesay revealed that Kamara, who was stationed at Wilberforce Barracks in his testimony admitted that he volunteered to join the attackers after being forced at gunpoint by his colleagues. “We therefore submit that the 2nd accused is guilty of mutiny.”

He added that the 3rd accused Conteh, who was deployed in Lungi, also participated in the coup attempt. A photo presented in court showed Conteh at Pa Sesay’s shrine, allegedly for fortification, along with the co-accused.

The State in January 2024, charged 27 individuals with various offenses, including conspiracy, murder, mutiny, and other related crimes. During the initial trial, the first accused pleaded guilty to some charges and was subsequently sentenced.

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The remaining 26 accused are now facing 39 counts of civil offenses, 24 counts of communicating with the enemy, 2 counts of stealing public property, conspiracy, murder, and ladditional charges.

According to Sesay, the state has provided ample evidence to support the charges, including testimonies from 37 witnesses and 188 exhibits. He emphasized that it was the duty of the state to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

“The Board Members should look beyond reasonable doubt at the events of November 26th and determine the guilt of the accused,” Sesay urged, adding that if the Board Members were not convinced of the accused’s guilt, they should acquit them. However, if the evidence proved compelling, they should deliver a guilty verdict and appropriate sentences.

In his address State Counsel Joseph A. K. Sesay concluded by stating that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant convictions. He reiterated that the first accused, along with the 26 others, carried out an unlawful attack at Cockrill and Wilberforce Barracks, resulting in the deaths of military personnel and a correctional service officer.

He also noted that the 17th accused, the Commander at Wilberforce Barracks, failed to suppress the attack. Some of the accused, realizing their mission had failed, returned to their units where they were subsequently arrested.

Sesay maintained that the accused were engaged in mutiny and that the state had provided enough evidence to support the charges. He argued that the accused conspired with unknown individuals to overthrow President Bio’s government.

For the sake of a speedy trial, Sesay informed the court that a written closing address would be submitted at the next adjournment, as the accused faced 88 counts in total. Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba urged the prosecution to complete their closing address, adjourning the matter to the following day.