By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
After the sentence was passed by the judge yesterday, the courtroom was filled with tears from family members. All the convicted persons waved to their loved ones, asking them to stay strong, while still claiming their innocence despite the verdict given by the jurors.
Before the verdict, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda reminded the jurors of their duty to dispense justice. He emphasized that justice should always be seen to be done and addressed the evidence presented in court. He explained the conspiracy case to overthrow the government, noting that a meeting of the minds held all the accused accountable for conspiracy. He also stated that when a witness can identify the accused, the defense of alibi cannot hold, and highlighted the importance of mobile phone use and call logs in proving conspiracy. The judge instructed the jury to return with a 2/3 majority verdict, noting the abolition of the death penalty.
The jurors retired at 11:15 am and returned at 2:10 pm. When asked about their verdict, they found all the accused persons guilty except for the 8th accused, Bai Mamoud Bangura, who is currently on bail. The convicted individuals included Amadu Koita Makalo, Mohamed Jalloh, Sgt. Mohamed Sallue Kamara, Ramatu Kanda Conteh, Alimatu Hassan Bangura, Hassan Leigh, Mohamed Wurrie, ASP Ibrahim Sesay, Tamba Yamba, Kabba Kamara, and Abdul Sorie Hassan Kamara.
In court, the 4th accused pleaded for mercy, citing that she has two sons and no one to care for them as her mother is dead. The 9th accused thanked his lawyer and claimed he was not involved in the allegations, also pleading for mercy. The 12th accused stated that his parents had just died on their way to court and broke down in tears.
The state prosecutor, JMB, emphasized that the law is no respecter of persons, highlighting those who died during the failed coup and asking the judge to disregard the pleas for mercy. He requested consecutive sentences rather than concurrent ones.
In delivering his judgment, Justice Kamanda sentenced the first and second accused, Amadu Koita and Mohamed Jalloh, to 162 years imprisonment each. The third accused was sentenced to 92 years on counts 1, 2, and 7. The fourth accused received 30 years on count 11, and the fifth accused received 60 years on count 5 and 5 years on counts 8 and 9. The sixth accused was sentenced to 39 years on count 11 and 4 years on count 12. The seventh accused received 2 years on counts 1 and 2.
The ninth accused is to serve 15-40 years on count 15 and 4 years on count 16. The tenth accused is to serve 52 years on counts 1 and 2 and 60 years on count 19. The twelfth accused was sentenced to 52 years on counts 1 and 2 and 60 years on count 19.
