52 witnesses will testify before a military court in the trial of 27 military officers involved in a failed coup attempt. The full trial of 27 military officers begins today in a military court presided over by Chief Justice Marke Ngegba and a group of seven others.
These officials face a staggering eighty-eight charges, including rebellion with intent to overthrow the government, aiding and abetting the enemy, theft of public property, and even murder, all related to their alleged roles in the failed coup attempt on November 26th. 2023.
A preliminary hearing took place on Monday before today's hearing. During this session in Freetown, 88 counts were not read to the defendants due to the absence of one person. Currently, none of the defendants have filed charges.
The prosecution, led by Prosecutor Osman I. Kanu, is expected to present 52 witnesses in the case, supported by a team of prosecutors from the Legal Department. The accused police officers are represented by a team of lawyers, including attorneys Ade Macaulay Esq., Melron Nicol Wilson and Julian Cole, and with assistance from the Unrepresented Legal Aid Council.
However, several defence lawyers raised objections during the preliminary hearing. Julian Cole, representing the 17th defendant, cited s. 89 of the Armed Forces Act of the Republic of Sierra Leone 1961 intended to allow the defendant to object to any member of the court before the oath was taken. The defence emphasized the importance of due process to ensure the integrity of the trial.
Another advocate, 1. Bangura, who represented the ninth defendant and others, informed the court about the medical condition of the ninth defendant: epilepsy. The state, represented by attorney Joseph A.K. Sesay objected and asked the court to disregard the application.
In response, the judge's lawyer, Mark Ngegba, dismissed the objection because there was no medical evidence as to the ninth defendant's condition.
Furthermore, Judge Advocate Marke Ngegba issued a stern warning during the hearing, calling on the press, social media bloggers and lawyers to respect the sanctity of judicial proceedings and stressed strict adherence to the laws governing proceedings. He said he is prepared to take action against anyone who violates these protocols.
It has been rumoured that:
over 60 military personnel in the Sierra Leone armed forces have been dismissed, suggesting a significant and potentially controversial development within the country's armed forces.
The names of the fired men and women in uniform are listed below.
Alleged Coup Attempt or Breach of Security:
The incident on November 26, 2023, appears to involve allegations of a coup attempt or a serious security breach. The government may have perceived the actions of the implicated military personnel as a threat to the stability and leadership of President Bio.
State House's Response:
The fact that the order to dismiss these military personnel came from the State House, the official residence of the President, suggests a direct involvement of the highest levels of government in the decision-making process. This implicates a political dimension to the dismissals.
Regional Disparities in Dismissals:
The report mentions that approximately 98% of the sacked officers and personnel hailed from the north of the country, with a few from the western area. Such a concentration raises concerns about potential regional or ethnic biases in the decision-making process.
Lack of Benefits for Dismissed Personnel:
The mention that the dismissed personnel were fired "without benefits" adds another concern. This could be perceived as a punitive measure, and questions may be raised about the fairness and legality of such dismissals without due process or compensation.
Need for Transparency and Accountability:
In situations involving the dismissal of a significant number of military personnel, there is a need for transparency and accountability. The government should provide clear and detailed information about the reasons for the dismissals, ensuring that due process is followed.
Public Perception and Political Motivations:
The public's perception of these dismissals will likely be influenced by the government's communication about the incident. If there are suspicions of political motivations or bias, it could lead to public unrest or further political tensions.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings:
Given the seriousness of the allegations, there may be ongoing investigations and legal proceedings to determine the culpability of the dismissed military personnel. The government may need a fair and transparent legal process to address these issues.