In a startling revelation at the court martial proceedings, Lieutenant Colonel Sheik Ahmed Sandi, Commanding Officer at Joint Provost Unit, testified that he was ordered by Amadu Koita Makolo to forcibly open the prison gate and release all the inmates.
During his testimony before Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and Board Members, he recounted being coerced into obeying the order under threat of firearms.
Under questioning led by Colonel Mohamed S. Kamara, the Lieutenant Colonel detailed the events of November 25, 2023. He revealed that while initially detaining three soldiers for assault, he was later instructed to release them for an operational patrol due to intelligence suggesting an impending attack on Freetown.
Sheik Ahmed Sandi explained that Koita, alongside other assailants, directed him to facilitate the release of prisoners and coordinate with various Unit Commanders. According to him, despite attempting to resist, he reluctantly complied, fearing for his life under the pressure exerted by Koita.
As they approached their destination, he described a tense encounter with police vehicles, where the assailants forcibly enlisted the officers to join their mission.
Upon reaching Pademba Road Prisons, the Lieutenant Colonel recounted Koita’s orders to break the prison gate and release specific inmates, including Retired Captain Milton, who remains at large.
Sheik Ahmed Sandi further detailed his harrowing escape, revealing how he managed to blend in with the released prisoners to evade detection, aided by his familiarity with Captain Milton.
His escape, fraught with danger, involved encounters with fellow military personnel, including Staff Sergeants Kallon and Abu Dauda, whom Sandi persuaded to aid in his flight to safety.
Lieutenant Colonel Sheik Ahmed Sandi’s testimony concluded with his return to Cockerill headquarters, where he expressed gratitude to those who assisted him, albeit lamenting Abu Dauda’s refusal to relinquish his phone.
The court martial continues to unravel the intricacies of the events surrounding the prison break, shedding light on the roles played by various military personnel implicated in the incident.
