In a high-profile court martial trial, six military personnel, including senior officers, pleaded not guilty to charges of mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, and desertion.

The case, presided over by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and a seven-member military board, involves allegations of a plot to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone.

The accused—Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay (alias PAO), Major Juana Kabba, Major Foday Sumana Kabba, Major Ibrahim Abu Bakarr Bangura, Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu, and Corporal Mohamed Koroma—face eight counts under the Armed Forces Act of Sierra Leone.

The charges stem from events between June 24 and July 29, 2023, during which they are alleged to have participated in or failed to prevent a mutiny intended to topple the government.

During the opening session, the court heard that the accused allegedly conspired and incited others to join the mutiny. They are also accused of failing to report the planned uprising, in violation of military law.

Additionally, several defendants are charged with desertion, having allegedly gone AWOL between November 26, 2023, and June 20, 2024, with the intent to permanently leave the military.

Defense attorneys challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that some of the accused had been discharged from the military before the alleged offenses occurred and should therefore be tried in a civilian court.

Lawyer Ibrahim Bangura, representing two of the accused, argued that they were civilians at the time of the charges, citing their prior dismissal from the military.

Other defense counsels echoed these arguments, insisting that their clients were wrongfully charged under military law.

The prosecution, led by Lawyer Joseph AK Sesay, countered that even if the accused had been dismissed from the military, they could still be tried under military law for offenses committed while they were serving members.

Sesay cited relevant sections of the Armed Forces Act, stating that dismissal does not preclude prosecution for offenses such as mutiny and desertion.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Advocate Ngegba overruled the defense’s objections, ruling that the court martial had jurisdiction to proceed.

He noted that all the accused had previously served in the military and, therefore, could be tried under military law.

The court adjourned the trial to October 21, 2024, for the prosecution to present its case. Meanwhile, defense counsels raised concerns about the conditions of their clients’ detention, particularly their solitary confinement and lack of access to proper military attire.

The judge ordered that the accused be given appropriate military uniforms for the duration of the trial and that their detention conditions be reviewed in line with military rules to ensure a fair trial.

The case continues to attract significant public attention as it delves into serious allegations of an attempted coup within the Sierra Leone Armed Forces.