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The Court Martial in the case of The State versus Major Bai Sesay and Six Others has delivered its final verdict, convicting six other soldiers to a combined prison term of over 500 years and acquitting one in connection with the failed coup attempt of November 26, 2023, which claimed the lives of 18 loyal security personnel and two civilians
At the 20th sitting of the trial held today, the following sentences were pronounced:
Major Bai Sesay (1st Accused) was found guilty on all seven charges, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to 125 years in prison.
Staff Sergeant Joseph Conteh alias Boy Pikin (2nd Accused) was convicted on one of five counts, dismissed from service, and sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Sergeant Alimamy Alhaji Conteh alias Next Man (3rd Accused) was found guilty on six counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to 120 years in prison.
Corporal Alpha Wurie Conteh (4th Accused) was convicted on all five counts, dismissed, and sentenced to 125 years.
Lance Corporal Ibrahim Kuyateh (5th Accused) was found guilty on five counts, dismissed, and sentenced to 120 years.
Lance Corporal Lahai Kemoh (6th Accused) was found guilty on all five counts, dismissed (following prior dismissal for prolonged absence), and sentenced to 130 years.
Sergeant Baimba Bangura alias Maggie (7th Accused) was acquitted of all charges and discharged.
The soldiers faced 10 charges, including conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, communicating with the enemy, conduct prejudicial to military discipline, and desertion.
This group constitutes the second batch of soldiers tried in connection with the 2023 coup attempt, which occurred after the re-election of President Julius Maada Bio. The first batch of 27 soldiers was tried between January and August 2024, with 24 found guilty, one acquitted, and another discharged on grounds of insanity.
The prosecution, led by JAK Sesay and PA Williams from the Law Officers’ Department and Colonel MBS Kamara from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), presented 20 witnesses and 25 exhibits to support their case. The accused were represented by five defense lawyers, including I. Bangura and OV Garber.
Presiding over the Court Martial were Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba, Court Martial President Colonel SMO George, and board members Lieutenant-Colonel PS Brima, Major MN Sillah, Major S Falama, Major I Samura, and Warrant Officer Class 1 I. Fofanah as a waiting board member.
Wow it’s another wounds deep in hearts of different families across the country. Left another future leaders fatherless, drop out from schools become addicted to drugs, thieves, prostitutes and so on. Because the bread winners are in jail for wrongfully accused due to tribalism act of judgement, no one else can tell but the almighty God for us all only know’s the truth and thee will judge and bring the truth back to light 🕯️. Killing and detaining innocent souls is just creating more enmities in that beautiful nation everyday and causing backwardness to country and the citizens as well. Too sad 😢😭 waw where, and when Sierra Leoneans becoming as one people, one country?😌 If Sierra Leone leadership don’t stop listening from outside hypocrisy, witch hunt, and idolatry blood will never stop flowing on ground 🙌🏾✅. May almighty God have mercy on our nation. Clean up all those destructive leaders once and for all 🙏🏾 Sierra Leone must rise since 1961 no Wise or loving leaders yet! They are all the same, but who is the worst among them?🙌🏾 Is the poorest leader ever elected. He must consider him the poorest this world till the day of judgement. Naked he came and naked he will return to his grave with bags of sins on his soul forever.