Two men accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone were remanded in custody on Thursday, May 15, 2025, after making their first appearance before Magistrate Shar Kekura at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1.
The accused, 50-year-old Joseph Dumbuya and 59-year-old Ahmed Turay, are facing two charges: treason, contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act of 1963, as amended, and murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
According to the indictment, between November 11 and November 26, 2023, in Freetown, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons to unlawfully overthrow the government of Sierra Leone.
The prosecution further alleges that the accused plotted to seize control of several strategic locations, including the 5th Battalion Wilberforce Barracks, the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockerill, the 3rd Infantry Brigade in Murray Town, the Sierra Leone Correctional Center, and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation at New England Ville.
Additionally, the indictment claims that on November 26, 2023, Dumbuya and Turay allegedly attempted to execute their plan by violently breaching the male and female correctional centers in Freetown, unlawfully releasing inmates. The prosecution further asserts that during the attempted coup, the accused allegedly attacked the male correctional center and murdered Correctional Center Officer Obi Isaac Johnson.
During the court proceedings, the charges were read and explained to the accused. However, no plea was taken due to the seriousness of the offences.
Prosecutor ASP Ibrahim Mansaray informed the court that his witnesses were absent, prompting him to request an adjournment.
Magistrate Shar Kekura ordered that the accused be remanded at the Correctional Center until Monday, May 19, 2025, when the matter will be brought up for further hearing.
