By Yusufu S Bangura
Major Bai Sesay, the first accused in the ongoing court martial trial, has testified before Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and a seven-member Board, alleging that Amadu Koita requested weapons from him on Saturday, November 25, 2023.
While testifying in his own defense, Major Sesay told the court that Koita first contacted him by phone on Friday, November 24, 2023, inquiring about his family’s wellbeing. When Sesay asked how Koita obtained his contact information, Koita allegedly said it was provided by Abu Dauda, who is now a convict.
According to Major Sesay, Koita called again the next day, requesting weapons. Despite informing Koita that he did not have access to weapons, Koita insisted, stating he knew Sesay was the Quartermaster in charge of logistics, including weapons, at the 15 Battalion in Lungi. Sesay claimed he pretended to agree to Koita’s request to end the conversation but never provided any weapons.
Later that same day, Sesay said, Nyakeh, the runner for the Commanding Officer (CO) of the 15 Battalion, approached him with a message from Abu Dauda. The message directed Sesay and Nyakeh to open the ammunition store to check the serial numbers of weapons. Sesay refused, stating such orders must come directly from the CO and himself, as they were the only authorized personnel to open the armory.
Major Sesay explained that he did not report Koita’s request to his superiors because he believed the CO, who had previously expressed distrust in him, would not take him seriously.
He recounted an earlier incident where he reported Nyakeh’s actions to the CO, only to face verbal abuse. Despite this, Sesay confirmed that when the armory was checked at 4 a.m. on Sunday, November 26, all weapons were accounted for.
During cross-examination by Colonel M.B.S. Kamara, Sesay admitted his responsibility for reporting arms-related matters to the CO, the Joint Logistics Unit, Joint Force Command, and the Ministry of Defence. He acknowledged that Koita’s request was illegal and that he should have reported it to higher authorities, such as the Brigade Commander.
The court heard that Sesay did not initially disclose his conversation with Koita to investigators until confronted with evidence from Koita’s phone. When asked if reporting the conversation earlier could have averted the November 26 incident, Sesay stated he had no knowledge of Koita’s alleged coup plans.
Lawyer Ibrahim Bangura from the Legal Aid Board, representing Major Sesay, informed the court that they would not present additional witnesses and officially closed the defense’s case.
Major Sesay, along with six other soldiers, faces charges including mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, communication with the enemy, and desertion. The trial was adjourned due to the illness of the fifth accused, Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu. Further hearings are expected in the coming days.
