OpEd: Sierra Leone Has Precedencies of Prosecution of The Presidency on Treason Offences

The Presidency in Sierra Leone consists of the Office of the President and that of the Vice President. Politically and legally, there is a nexus between both offices.

A precedence on the prosecution of the Presidency on treason offences was set in 1988. In administrative and legal terms, precedences form part of the law and administrative procedures.

In 1987/88, the Late Francis M. Minah was then the sitting First Vice President of Sierra Leone during the APC regime led by President J.S. Momoh. He was arrested, detained at the Pademba Road Maximum Prison and subsequently charged with treasonable offences and subsequently executed at the gallows at Pademba Road. Late Vice President Minah consistently denied his involvement in any coup throughout his trials. He did so even at his last moments at the gallows. It is hoped that a Judicial Review of the matter will be undertaken to determine the veracity or otherwise of judicial verdict on F.M Minah and others.

Prosecutors led by Dr. Abdulai O. Conteh (still alive), then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice presented evidence of the defendants’ plans to assassinate President Joseph Saidu Momoh and key members of the APC Government. It is on record that the prosecution’s case was largely based on testimonies by Police and Army officials involved in the investigation and on what were said to be “voluntary” statements by many of the defendants.

On the 24th. August 1998, Former and Late President Joseph Saidu Momoh was arrested, charged, prosecuted and sentenced to serve a jail term of 15 years for proven complicity with the AFRC/RUF Junta by the Courts. He was subsequently sprung by the RUF, during the 1999 invasion of Freetown ,from the Pademba Road Prisons.

Sierra Leone has precedences of prosecution of the Presidency on treason offences. This may contribute to Sierra Leone’s Jurisprudence, Transitional Justice, Peace and National Cohesion

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

P. Rogers, Sierra Leonean. | 2024-01-12 13:17:58

"Responding to one who said I am a beneficiary of Boi's govt. I pray that God touch you to be a better person. Your heart is not good". Mr. Man, Maada Bio don't know me nor anyone of his government people. That is foolish ideas most you sierra leoneans have in your brains. "You are Bio's government beneficiaries", because I speak the truth and you cannot face the truth. No govt. person knew me. I am a sierra leonean and when most of us loved our country and any leader rules properly , I will praise that leader and pray for that leader. You understand. Most of you will die in your SINS and will not see God face. Call spade a spade. Say the truth. I was born from the south and schooling in Makeni and never we sings about tribalism until this recent politics of APC singing tribalism in our country, so I cannot say anything that I knew now that is not good for our nation. Ebola time I pray that government will do good management. Our best doctors and nurses died. Innocent citizens died. Was it not EBK ruling. Aaah booo, where is your honesty? Mr man, no slpp or apc govt. persons knew me, ok. I am a sierra leonean , as long as I am alive I will continue praying for the betterment of my country and for my citizens, until my God, the almighty call me home, amen.
| 2024-01-11 08:50:31

Tribalism echo in Sierra Leone because Mina and Momoh both are APC members. That is politics.
| 2024-01-11 03:55:03

Even when Dr Mohamed sorie forms was not on active government operation. By then,but he serve as minister of finance to the then prime minister Dr siaka p Stevens,he acted as prime minister on several occasions ,but was duped on fake treason ,later killed after denying of involving in such mess,that he was peaceful citizen,but still hang. Where is the precedent JFK?
| 2024-01-11 01:16:43

Mr Rogers I've understood that you are one of the Bio's Government beneficiary that why you're saying all things like these but note that power does not last, and I might be elected tomorrow and if so how do you expect me also to treat you as my opposition? Be caution ⚠️ ⚠️
P. Rogers, Sierra Leonean. | 2024-01-10 23:46:05

In the name of the almighty God, Dr A. O. Conteh, JFK, EBK and others, the innocent blood is crying out to almighty God for justices to be done, and it shall be so. God is NOT going to allow you satanic people getaway with it, no matter how long it will take the court to do it. May the Lord almghty gives the court setting, judges, magistrates etc, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to do that is right in those courts. No witchcrafts will work this time. May God send fire from heaven to burn up all their witchcrafts altars, in Jesue name, amen. Sierra leone will come to be in peace and stability, amen.
| 2024-01-10 23:38:43

Sierra Leone is for all of us let the government of the day continue with whatsoever plans they are implementing. Time will certainly tell someday
| 2024-01-10 21:40:10

EBk will be like late man inshallah
| 2024-01-10 20:57:00

It's good that you are educating the deceptive and deceitful EBK supporters who think he is the first to be prosecuted. The laws of the Land is not for one set of people. Dr A. O . Conteh can you say something to JFK who is ranting about dark ☁️ cloud over the Land because had been indicated as one of the coup plotters.
| 2024-01-10 16:24:37

This might be a question to me , when really leaders of this nation will give peace a chance to help poor Sierra Leone and to live a life of happiness and to live amicablly?