By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Court Martial proceedings at the Army Headquarters, Cockerill Barracks in Freetown, unfolded on February 12 and 13, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s legal and military history. In a highly anticipated judicial exercise, the military tribunal adjudicated two high-profile cases: “The State versus Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay alias PAO and Five Others” and “The State versus Major Bai Sesay and Six Others”, both of which carried grave implications for national security and constitutional order.
Against the backdrop of heightened public interest and institutional scrutiny, the tribunal meticulously examined the evidence, deliberated on the gravity of the charges and ultimately delivered its long-awaited verdicts. The accused, all serving military officers, stood trial over allegations of conspiring to subvert the legitimate Government through clandestine machinations, a case that underscored the unwavering resolve of the state to safeguard democratic governance, uphold military discipline and reinforce the inviolability of constitutional rule.
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM, the Court Martial President and Board Members delivered judgments in the case of: “The State versus Major Bai Sesay and 6 Others”. The accused individuals were linked to a BLOODY COUP, during which 18 security personnel and two civilians were brutally killed. The court convicted six soldiers convicted for subversion against the state, while one was acquitted and discharged.
In the case of “The State versus Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay alias PAO and 5 Others” on February 12, 2025, all six military personnel that stood trial for subversion against the state were found guilty and sentenced to various jail terms.
The convicted military personnel were alleged to be involved in an attempt to unseat President Julius Maada Bio following his re-election in June 2023. The trial concluded on February 12, 2025, with the following sentences:
- Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay (1st Accused): Found guilty of all five counts and sentenced to a maximum of 75 years in prison.
- Major Juana Kabbah (2nd Accused): Found guilty of four counts and sentenced to a maximum of 60 years.
- Major Foday Sumana Kamara (3rd Accused): Found guilty of four counts and sentenced to a maximum of 60 years.
- Major Ibrahim Abu Bakarr Bangura (4th Accused): Found guilty of four counts and sentenced to a maximum of 50 years.
- Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu (5th Accused): Found guilty of four counts and sentenced to a maximum of 50 years.
- Corporal Mohamed Koroma (6th Accused): Found guilty of all five counts and sentenced to a maximum of 75 years.
On February 13, 2025, in the case of The State versus Major Bai Sesay and 6 Others, in which the court addressed a bloody coup attempt that occurred on November 26, 2023, which resulted in the brutal killings of 18 security personnel and two civilians the trial concluded with the following verdicts:
- Major Bai Sesay (1st Accused): Found guilty of all seven counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to a maximum of 125 years in prison.
- Staff Sergeant Joseph Conteh alias Boy Pikin (2nd Accused): Found guilty of one out of five counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to a maximum of 18 months.
- Sergeant Alimamy Alhaji Conteh alias Next Man (3rd Accused): Found guilty of all six counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
- Corporal Alpha Wurie Conteh (4th Accused): Found guilty of all five counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to a maximum of 125 years.
- Lance Corporal Ibrahim Kuyateh (5th Accused): Found guilty of all five counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces, and sentenced to a maximum of 120 years.
- Lance Corporal Lahai Kemoh (6th Accused): Found guilty of all five counts, dismissed from the Armed Forces and sentenced to a maximum of 130 years. Kemoh had also been dismissed previously due to prolonged absence without leave during his flight from justice.
- Sergeant Baimba Bangura alias Maggie (7th Accused): Found not guilty of all five counts and was acquitted and discharged.
These verdicts follow the bloody coup attempt, which was the second major plot to unseat President Bio. The first attempt, which occurred in July 2023, was foiled, but the November 2023 coup led to the deaths of several loyal security personnel and civilians.
The Court Martial’s sessions, which began in October 2024, saw the arraignment of military personnel on charges including conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, communicating with the enemy, and desertion. The trials have involved several batches of accused individuals, with the second batch being convicted for their involvement in the coup attempt.
The State was represented by 15 prosecution lawyers, led by JAK Sesay and PA Williams from the Law Officers’ Department, along with Colonel MBS Kamara from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The defense team included lawyers I. Bangura, OV Garber, E. Saunders, and others.
The presiding Court Martial panel was headed by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba, with Colonel SMO George serving as the Court Martial President and several other officers as board members.
The verdicts come as a significant blow to those involved in the subversive activities against President Bio’s Government and serve as a reminder of the consequences of undermining the nation’s security and leadership.
