24 Soldiers Sentenced To 50-120 Years In Prison For Sierra Leone Coup Attempt

The Freetown High Court has sentenced 24 soldiers to 50 to 120 years in prison for their involvement in the failed November 2023 coup attempt.

The ruling, delivered on August 9, 2024, by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba, concluded an eight-month trial which began January 8. The sentences will run concurrently.

Judge Ngegba presided over the court-martial, with Captain Lawrence Jabati and a seven-member board of military officers overseeing the case.

Of the 26 military officers tried, 24 were found guilty, while one, Woi Sitta Dumbuya, was acquitted. The court found the soldiers guilty of charges including mutiny, conspiracy to commit mutiny, and aiding the enemy.

One defendant, Lance Corporal Abubakar Koroma, will be tried separately due to health issues.

All the accused, except Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, had pleaded not guilty. On the other hand, Koroma pleaded guilty to nine charges and, therefore, received a 30-year prison sentence, with the other charges being dropped.

This court’s verdict marks a significant moment in the case of the November 23 attempted coup, which resulted in the deaths of 18 security personnel and the escape of over 2,000 inmates. Recently, 11 civilians connected to the coup were sentenced by the court, including alleged coup leader Amadu Koita Makalo, who was given an 182-year prison term.

Below is a list of the soldiers sentenced and the jail term received, as curated by The Calabash Newspaper:

1. Sergeant Ibrahim Bundu Kamara: Guilty on all 19 counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 120 years.
2. Staff Sergeant Albert Bassie Conteh: Guilty on all 29 counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 120 years.
3. Staff Sergeant Abu Dauda: Guilty on all 32 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
4. Corporal Thalie Marah: Guilty on all 44 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
5. Corporal Edward Koroma: Guilty on all 14 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
6. Sergeant Mohamed Kamara: Guilty on all 16 counts. A maximum jail term of 80 years.
7. Lance Corporal Eustace Neka: Guilty on all 31 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
8. Staff Sergeant Idrissa Kallon: Guilty on all 39 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
9. Corporal John Turay: Guilty on all 16 counts. A maximum jail term of 80 years.
10. Corporal Aiah Gbenda: Guilty on all seven counts. A maximum jail term of 70 years.
11. Corporal Alie Kamara: Guilty on all 11 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
12. Lance Corporal Musa Maligie: Guilty on all 40 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
13. Private Abdul Razack Kamara: Guilty on all 40 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
14. Sergeant Momoh Kargbo: Guilty on all 41 counts. A maximum jail term of 100 years.
15. Warrant Officer Class 2 Philip Adikalie Turay: Guilty on all nine counts. A maximum jail term of 80 years.
16. Lieutenant Colonel Charles James Mishek Yamba: Guilty on all six counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
17. Warrant Officer Class 1 Sitta Dumbuya: Not guilty on all four counts. Acquitted and discharged.
18. Sergeant Kemoh Fofanah: Guilty on all 18 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
19. Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorlu Bangura: Guilty on all 40 counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
20. Warrant Officer Class 2 Alpha Turay: Guilty on all seven counts. A maximum jail term of 120 years.
21. Corporal Abu Bakarr Turay: Guilty on all five counts. A maximum jail term of 90 years.
22. Sergeant Rashid Koroma: Guilty on all five counts. A maximum jail term of 90 years.
23. Sergeant Omar Fayiah Lebbie: Guilty on all five counts. A maximum jail term of 50 years.
24. Lance Corporal Hassan Sesay: Guilty on all five counts. A maximum jail term of 80 years.
25. Lance Corporal Abu Samuel Kamara: Guilty on all six counts. A maximum jail term of 80 years.

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