The military court in Sierra Leone has found L/Cpl Abu Bakarr Koroma, also known as “Opanday,” not guilty on charges of mutiny and murder, citing certified insanity as the basis for the verdict.

Koroma was one of several soldiers on trial for their involvement in a failed coup attempt that led to deadly violence in Freetown last November.

Koroma, who has been at the center of the court martial proceedings since January, was among the soldiers accused of playing a role in the events of November 26, 2023. The violent uprising resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 people, including security personnel and a civilian. The government swiftly moved to charge those involved, leading to one of the most closely watched trials in the country.

During the trial, the court was presented with evidence of Koroma’s mental state, which ultimately led to the decision to acquit him on the grounds of insanity.

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The ruling acknowledges that Koroma was not in a sound state of mind during the alleged offenses, thereby absolving him of legal responsibility under the circumstances.