A military court in Sierra Leone has sentenced six military personnel to a combined 300 years in prison after convicting them of attempting to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio.

The verdict was delivered by a Court Martial on February 12, 2025, following a trial that began on October 17, 2024. The accused were charged with mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, and desertion, all of which they initially denied.

Sentences of the Accused

The six officers, led by Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay, were found guilty and received the following sentences:

Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay – 75 years (guilty on five counts)

Major Juana Kabbah – 60 years (guilty on four counts)

Major Foday Sumana Kamara – 60 years (guilty on four counts)

Major Ibrahim Abu Bakarr Bangura – 50 years (guilty on four counts)

Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu – 50 years (guilty on four counts)

Corporal Mohamed Koroma – 75 years (guilty on five counts)

Prosecution and Defense

The case, titled The State vs. Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay & 5 Others, was led by a 15-member prosecution team, including JAK Sesay, PA Williams, and Colonel MBS Kamara from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). The prosecution presented 16 witnesses and 47 exhibits as evidence.

The accused were defended by I Bangura, S Elleamoh, OV Garber, E Sanders, C Kamara, A Yankay-Kargbo, and JK Kobba, all of whom argued that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The presiding judge was Mark Ngegba, assisted by Court Martial President Colonel SMO George and a panel of senior military officers.

Upcoming Trials

The Court Martial will reconvene on February 13, 2025, to review evidence in a separate case, The State vs. Major Bai Sesay & 6 Others, related to a failed coup attempt that resulted in the deaths of 18 security personnel and two civilians.

The ongoing legal proceedings are expected to shed further light on the extent of subversive activities within the military and their implications for Sierra Leone’s security and stability.