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Amadu Koita Makalo has denied involvement in the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023, claiming he was abducted by the assailants.
Awoko reports that the defense opened its case for Koita and eleven others before Justice Komba Kamanda at High Court No.1 in Freetown. Sigismund A. Conteh, one of Koita’s lawyers, led him as the first defense witness, where Koita declared his innocence against all treason allegations.
Koita stated he had no prior contact with Mohamed Jalloh, the second accused, or any other defendants before his arrest. “I have never known them before my arrest and I have never conspired with them. I am innocent,” he asserted.
Living in the United Kingdom before his arrest, Koita emphasized he had no plans to overthrow the government. A dedicated soldier for 25 years, he retired in 2018 without any misconduct charges and moved to the UK. “I survived four gunshot wounds during the war and have a rubber in me. I have an unbroken record in the military and won four awards before voluntarily retiring,” Koita said.
Detailing his travel, Koita mentioned leaving the UK on November 22, 2023, traveling through Morocco and Guinea before entering Sierra Leone via Kambia. Upon arrival, his military brother took him to a herbalist in Makeni for treatment. On November 25, while leaving Makeni, military colleagues asked for a group photo. Koita then traveled to Lungi and boarded the last ferry to Freetown.
Later, Koita met his friend Mahmoud Sankoh and reluctantly agreed to visit the Old School nightclub. En route, they were stopped by armed soldiers at the Bottom Mango checkpoint in Wilberforce. The soldiers, suspecting them, forcefully took Koita to Wilberforce Barracks and demanded he make an audio recording, which he refused. The soldiers, led by Captain Jalloh, then took Koita to Cockeril Barracks.
During the journey, Koita heard gunshots and saw Captain Sandy joining the vehicle. Despite attempts to escape, Koita was caught, his phone confiscated, and he was given an unloaded gun. The group headed to Pademba Road Prison, where Captain Sandy ordered the gate to be rammed. Koita claimed he laid down the empty rifle and joined escaping inmates.
Under cross-examination by principal state prosecutor Ahmed Bockarie, Koita confirmed his travel from the UK to Sierra Leone on November 22, 2023, and the photos with former colleagues in Makeni. He recalled the herbalist Pa Sesay’s name only after detectives mentioned it during the investigation. Koita expressed discomfort commenting on phone screenshots shown during the trial, fearing they could indict him.
Koita confirmed knowing Alhaji Koroma for over thirty years, with whom he served in the military before retiring in 2018. The trial was adjourned to Wednesday, July 3, 2024, for Bockarie to complete his cross-examination of Koita.
Koita there’s no way you deny this allegations, the innocent blood of our galant soldiers will surely exposed you guys.
God will expose them
What a serial Criminalogical explanation
Koita must go down just like our gallant falling heros
Koita, it’s what it’s…just imagined you have served this country once ..
.which such records….why all these drama again ! OMG, political parties royalty
Bro
This is the problem of democracy in the world. If na under any authoritarian rule lek we money nor dae waste pa court sittings
The evil that Men do, live after them.
I surely believe he was betrayed and setup by the people he called friends
Bro. you’re giving your testimony to the word so as we always say once the Taxi payers money is in you but your lies are not helping
What was the purpose of traveling to Sierra Leone, when you seeking asylum in UK
The road map he highlighted after his departured from UK until his arrest is logically interesting. I don’t know why the court is delaying to pass verdict on him.
That’s man Amadu koita
should be given a life sentence for disturbing the peace of this the nation.
With all your explanation that lead you to life imprisonment no way to denie
Morocco, Guinea, Kambia, Pa Sesay the herbalist, Lungi, ferry via Freetown and finally at Pandemba road prison.
Captured with his girlfriend a serving police officer
What a story to tell.
What I know many people died for the peace we are enjoying today, so anyone or group of people who want to take that peace will surely be exposed.
Koita you will be surely helped by the good Lord who’s not compromising evil deeds.
I DO NOT BLAME KOITA
I BLAME THE JUDICIARY SYSTEMS
HOW CAN KOITA D9 THE PEOPLES HE KILLED IN NOVEMBER 26-26 -2023 AND YOU GUYS ARE SAYING A&B UNNECESSARILY STwwwe
WERE THERE IS JUSTICEs IN THE NATION KOITA SHOULD HAVE BEEN INDICTED BY NOW
THE FACTS REMAINS KOITA HAS STARTED GIVING FALSE INFORMATION ABOUT THE KILLINGS OF BLESSES HUMAN OF SIERRA LEONE
I SEE IN THE DACK HOURS IN OUR JUDICIARY IN FREEING THE MOSTER
YOU WILL ONE DAY HARD KOITA HAS BEEN PARDON
OUR LAWYER’s IN SIERRA LEONE
ARE LIKE <<>< IT BAD
We don’t call it Allegation, but rather a wanton act. I repudiated the above explanation from Amadu Koita .
I didn’t go to law school but from Koita’s explanation the lies are eminent and clear.
These country is bless. None can bring another war again in these country. U guys really plan these u are denied. Why do u hide after u failed to overthrow.
Fellow sierra Leonean if you where the one that’s koita situation don’t say negative words okay he’s one of us,we all know the country that we are living.please think twice before you talk
May God grant our beloved country peace love and harmony multiply the minds of our leaders to develop mama Salone.
Amen and Ameen
This situation is getting out of hands please give me more punishment and he will say the truth. The CCTV have prove it already so please stop all this stories and give him the punishment he deserve OK. May the God almighty bless MAMA SALOON