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By In a landmark ruling at the High Court of Sierra Leone on Monday March 24, 2025, Honorable Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens has sentenced two accused individuals, Alie Badara Kanu (alias Captain Makeni) and Thaimu Bangura, to 120 years each for treason and misprision of treason.
The 12-member jury unanimously returned a guilty verdict on both counts. Following the verdict, the court handed down consecutive sentences of 90 years for treason and 30 years for misprision of treason, totaling 120 years imprisonment for each accused.
During mitigation, defense counsel pleaded for leniency, highlighting that the first accused had served in the military diligently and had dependent children. It was also noted that he had been in detention for over a year. The second accused, a father of 17 children, had served in the army for 16 years. The defense urged the court to exercise mercy.
Despite the plea, Justice Stevens ruled that the severity of the crimes warranted the full weight of the law. The sentencing breakdown is as follows:
Alie Badara Kanu (Alias Captain Makeni)
• Count 1 (Treason): 90 years imprisonment
• Count 2 (Misprision of Treason): 30 years imprisonment
• Total Sentence: 120 years (consecutive)
Thaimu Bangura
• Count 1 (Treason): 90 years imprisonment
• Count 2 (Misprision of Treason): 30 years imprisonment
• Total Sentence: 120 years (consecutive)
The case, tried under the Treason and State Offenses Act of 1963, accused Kanu and Bangura of planning to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone between June 24, 2023, and June 29, 2024. The prosecution presented evidence that the accused operated WhatsApp groups—“Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD)”—to recruit military and police personnel and acquire arms for the alleged coup attempt.
The state also alleged that the accused held meetings at Camp Junction, Waterloo, and Newton to strategize their plans and devised coded communication, referring to weapons as “slings.”
Furthermore, between January and April 2024, both men were accused of misprision of treason, having knowledge of a conspiracy involving other military officers, yet failing to report it.
The case underscores the government’s firm stance against acts of subversion. The sentencing sends a strong message that any attempts to undermine national security will be met with severe consequences.
This ruling marks one of the most significant treason trials in recent Sierra Leonean history, reinforcing the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law and preserving democratic governance.
The next sentencing will come heavily on you Maada Bio and Momoh Jah Stevens for stealing the mandate of the Sierra Leoneans which is tantamount to treason. We’ll never stop raising this heinous crimes to the international community. Maada Bio is not only a financial thief, he’s also an electoral thief and a murderer whose crimes against humanity will hunt him forever. Under our watch, we’ll ensure justice is served and he will rot in jail.
Thanks very much because your stupidity is successfuly upgraded
You are here talking about international community why you can’t go and meet them? You are a toothless bull 🐂🐂 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 Dag
When you don’t know the law it will suffice you to stay silent because the moment you open your mouth to talk all that will come out will always be a rubbish. To educate you on the law however, section 3 of the Treason and State Offences Act, 1963 is
amended by the repeal and replacement of subsection (1) of 2021 which clearly stated a life imprisonment for the individual who engage in such act and here you’re manifesting your stupidity pretending to know when absolutely you know nothing. Sometimes remaining silent is the best way to avoid embarrassment.
It could be better coined as ” Maada Bio’s led government or government of Sierra Leone . Maada Bio alone cannot form a government, Mr. Journalist
No one is above the law.