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.