By Feima Sesay
In a dramatic turn of events, a Military Court in Freetown , Sierra Leone has today sentenced Six military officers to up to 75 years imprisonment after being found guilty of plotting a Coup and engaging in subversive activities against the State.
A Military Court martial , headed by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba handed down the sentences on Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay the first accused , Corporal Mohamed Koroma the 6th accused, the second accused Major Juana Kabba and third accused Foday Sumana Kamara, 4th convict Major Ibrahim Abu Bakarr Bangura and 5th accused Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu.
Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba said the convicted officers had conspired to overthrow the government and engaged in actions that posed a serious threats to the nation stability and security on the 26 th of November 2023.
Accordingly , they were found guilty on all five counts charges of Mutiny, Failure to Suppress mutiny, Desertion and other related charges by the president and members of the Courtmartial board.
The second accused Major Juana Kabba and third accused Foday Sumana Kamara were also sentenced to a maximum jailed term of 60 years imprisonment each for the four counts charges of Mutiny, failure to suppress Mutiny and desertion charges they were standing trial for.
The 4th accused Major Ibrahim Abu Bakarr Bangura and 5th accused Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu were both sentenced to a maximum jailed term of 50 years imprisonment each for the offences of Mutiny, Failure to Suppress mutiny and desertion.
Their sentence according to the leraned Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba he said will run concurrently.
Prior to the judgement, the Judge advocate Mark Ngegba in his summing up address said each accused pleaded not guilty to the offences against them.
”Let me take this opportunity to remind you all that you are free at anytime to asked question you wish to asked with regards to the fact and the laws, and you are bound to apply the principles of law and it is for you to access various witnesses and decide whether they were telling the truth and give your verdict. ‘’
He added that it is for them to decide whether the point made by the defense were fact and apply fair standard and not judge on speculations.
He said ‘’in cases like this , emotions will arise , and urged them to act impartially. The burden of proof , he said rest on the prosecution, adding that if there is doubt , that doubt must be resolved in favor of the accused persons.
” If you are convince by the evidence adduced in court you should return a guilty verdict but if you are not sure, returned a not guilty verdict”, he stated.
