Sierra Leone Botched Coup: Six Military Personnel Sentenced to 300 Years in Prison

 

**Former President Koroma’s name and verdict are not mentioned. Still in Nigeria

 

 Abubakar Hashim

 

The verdict of military personnel involved in the November 26, 2023, botched coup in Freetown to overthrow incumbent President Julius Maada Bio was read yesterday. Six military personnel were sentenced to 300 years in prison.

Former President Koroma’s verdict was not read out. He was tagged “prime suspect “, under house arrest at his private home at Goderich, and stood trial, but was later released on medical and now resides in Nigeria.

The verdicts were read by a court martial during its 26th sitting on February 12, 2025. The accused military personnel, led by Major Patrick Abu Odeinde Sesay, were found guilty of involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bio and destabilise his government.

Yesterday’s sentences were as follows:

1. Major Patrick Abu Odeinde Sesay, 1st Accused, was found guilty on all five counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 75 years.
2. ⁠Major Juannah Kabbah, 2nd Accused, was found guilty on all four counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 60 years.
3. ⁠Major Foday Sumana Kamara, 3rd Accused, was found guilty on all four counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 60 years.
4. ⁠Major Ibrahim Abubakarr Bangura, 4th Accused, was found guilty on all four counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 50 years.
5. ⁠Lieutenant Zainab Amara Suwu, 5th Accused, was found guilty on all four counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 50 years.
6. ⁠Corporal Mohamed Koroma, 6th Accused, was found guilty on all five counts and sentenced to a maximum jail term of 75 years.

7. President Maada Bio

The Court-martial is also set to review evidence in a related case on the botched coup today, February 13, 2025, in which 18 security personnel and two civilians were dastardly killed.

The November 26, 2023, militant attack on several military installations, including Wilberforce and Murray Town, the two prime arsenal depots, was widely seen by the international community as an attempt to disrupt constitutional order. Information Minister Chernoh Bah tagged it “ an attempted coup”, while Sierra Leone’s Inspector General of Police, Fayia Sellu, tagged former President Koroma as a “ prime suspect “.

 

*Abubakar Hashim is TheNEWS Magazine West Coast Bureau Chief