A twelve-member jury in the treason trial of Amadu Koita Makalo and 11 others has unanimously returned a guilty verdict against all eleven accused persons in respect of all the charges brought against them by the State.

In his address to the jurors shortly before they retired to consider their verdict, trial judge, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda (JA) reminded them of their duty which he described as “sacred” and which included the responsibility to ensure that justice is done with integrity, fairness and independence.

“Mr. foreman and members of the jury, may I remind you that your sacred duty in this trial is to apply the law as I have directed you. The entirety of the evidence from the prosecution and the defence was adduced before you. The responsibility trusted upon you is sacred, that is to ensure that justice is manifestly and undoubtedly seen to be done with integrity, fairness and independence which is the bastion of our judicial system,” Hon. Justice Kamanda stated.

The eleven convicts: Amadu Koita Makalo (1st Convict), Mohamed Jalloh (2nd Convict) SGT. 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara (3rd Convict), Ramatu Kamanda Conteh (4th Convict), Halimatu Hassah Bangura (5th Convict), Hassan Lee (6th Convict), Mohamed Wudie (7th Convict), ASP Ibrahim Sesay (9th Convict), Tamba Yamba (10th Convict, Kabba Kamara (11th Convict) and Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara (12 Convict) were before the court to answer to twenty (20) count charges included Treason, Murder, Misprision of Treason, Harbouring and Unauthorised use of Military Uniform among others.

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During the course of the trial the Judge acceded to the State’s application for the trial of the 8th accused, Bai Mahmoud Bangura to be separated from the others. The trial of the 8th accused in respect of counts 1, 2, 13 and 14 was separated from the rest of the accused persons.

In their Allocutus, the 4th, 6th and 9th convicts pleaded for mercy. In her personate plea, the 4th Convict, Ramatu Kamanda Conteh informed the court that she is a single mother with two children, one of which has entered university with no one left to fend for them.

In his plea in mitigation on behalf of the 4th convict, Lawyer Teddy Koroma pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy and to consider her two children who will be left stranded without any care.

In response to the plea in mitigation of Lawyers on behalf of the convicts, State Counsel A. J. M. Bockarie stated that sentences or punishments are regarded in law to serve as a deterrent for the would be coupists and those planning to undermine the constitutional duties of the Government of Sierra Leone.

He stressed that those who think it’s easy to take over a government through the bullet should be sent a very loud message to deter others who are attempting to do such.

Handling down his sentence, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda (JA) said that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to those who think it has become lawful to prepare, conspire and endeavour to overthrow a constitutionally elected government or disrupt the governance of the state.
Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda sentenced the 1st Convict, Amadu Koita Makalo to 52 years’ imprisonment each on counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently, on counts 3, 4, 5, and 6, 40 years each, 60 years each on counts 17, 18 and 19, totalling 162 years.

The 2nd Convict, Mohamed Jalloh was sentenced to 52 years each on counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently, 70 years each on counts 3, 4, 5, and 6, 60 years each for counts 17, 18, 19, and 4 years for count 20.
SGT.

10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara, 3rd Convict was sentenced to 52 years each for counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently and 40 years on count 7.

4th Convict, Ramatu Kamanda Conteh was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for count 10, 5th Convict, Halimatu Hassah Bangura was sentenced to 60 years for count 8 and 5 years for count 9.

Hassan Lee, 6th Convict was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment on count 11 and 4 years on count 12. Mohamed Wudie, 7th Convict was sentenced to 52 years’ each on counts 1 and 2 which run concurrently.

ASP Ibrahim Sesay, the 9th Convict was sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment on count 15 and 4 years’ on count 16. The 10 Convict, Tamba Yamba was sentenced to 52 years each for counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently and 60 years on count 19.

Kabba Kamara, the 11th Convict was sentenced to 52 years each on counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently and 60 years on count 19.

The 12th Convict, Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara was sentenced to 52 years each on counts 1 and 2 which are to run concurrently and 60 years on count 19.

The Prosecution had alleged that Amadu Koita Makalo, Mohamed Jalloh, SGT. 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara, Mohamed Wudie, Bai Mahmoud Bangura, Tamba Yamba, Kabba Kamara and Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara, on diverse days between the 5th day of November 2023 and the 26th day of November 2023 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.

The State further alleged that the accused persons conspired together with others persons’ unknown to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone in that they agreed to seize and take control of the 5th Battalion Headquarters at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown, the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockerill Barracks, the 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Murray Town Barracks, the Sierra Leone Correctional Centres in Freetown, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation at New England in Freetown and to overthrow and take control of the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.