In the treason trial of the November incident that claimed the lives of several soldiers in Freetown, State Lawyers respond to the ‘no case’ submission for Kiota and 11 others by six defence lawyers. 

Justice Komba Kamanda, presiding over the ongoing treason trial, is set to receive oral submissions from both State prosecutors and defence counsels regarding a ‘no case’ submission.

On Thursday, June 13, 2024, six defence counsels presented a ‘no case’ submission on behalf of their clients. The twelve accused individuals, including Amadu Koita Makalo, Bai Mahmoud Bangura (former youth minister), Ramatu Kamanda Conteh, Alimatu Hassan Bangura, Mohamed Woodie, and seven others, are on trial following their alleged involvement in a failed coup d’etat on November 26, 2023.

The court anticipated receiving oral submissions from State prosecutors and the counsels representing the second, third, fourth, seventh, eighth, and ninth accused individuals on the next adjourned date.

Yusuf Isaac Sesay, leading the prosecution for the State, informed the court that they have yet to receive ‘no case’ submissions from the defence lawyers representing Mohamed Jalloh (second accused), Emmanuel Salifu Kamara (third accused), Ramatu Kamanda Conteh (fourth accused), Mohamed Woodie (seventh accused), Bai Mahmoud Bangura (eighth accused), and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim Sesay (ninth accused).

“My Lord, I want to confirm to this court that we have received ‘no case’ submissions from some of the defense counsels and have also responded to them,” Sesay mentioned.

During the trial, some defence counsels explained their delay in submitting oral submissions, citing the extensive evidence they needed to address in their arguments.

The case has adjourned the matter to Tuesday, June 18, 2024.