By Yusufu S. Bangura
The second court martial trial concluded last week with the acquittal and discharge of Sergeant Baimba Bangura, while several others received long sentences.
Lans Corporal Lahai Kemoh was sentenced to 130 years in prison, Major Bai Sesay to 125 years, and Staff Sergeant Joseph Conteh to 18 months. Sergeant Alimamy Alhaji Conteh, Lans Corporal Alpha Wurie Conteh, and Lans Corporal Ibrahim Kuyateh were sentenced to 120 and 125 years, respectively.
The verdicts were delivered by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba following their conviction on charges including mutiny, desertion, and collaborating with the enemy. Sergeant Bangura was acquitted of six charges after the President of the board, Colonel Samuel George, found him not guilty.
The convicted military personnel were part of a conspiracy to overthrow the Sierra Leone government in November 2023. The prosecution presented 20 witnesses, including Cyber Officer Inspector Mohamed Jusu, who analyzed the convicts’ mobile phones.
Despite pleas for mercy from defense counsel, who argued that the convicts had no prior criminal records, the Judge Advocate imposed harsh sentences. State counsel Joseph A.K. Sesay stressed that the convicted individuals showed no remorse for their actions. After deliberating on the mitigation requests, the board finalized the sentences, with Colonel George officially closing the court martial
