๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐ฒ.
The first accused in the ongoing Court Martial hearing of 27 serving Military personnel, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma of the 11th Battalion and with Force Number RSLAF 18171601 yesterday pleaded guilty to mutiny, communicating with the enemy, aiding the enemy, and failure to suppress mutiny, all contrary to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone Act No. 34 of 1961.
The accused, Alhaji Koroma pleaded guilty on counts 1,2,10,11,18,30,42,43,50, and not guilty on counts 5,6,7,59,60,61,62,63,64,which include murder.
The rest of the twenty six accused persons pleaded not guilty to all 88 counts charge against them.
According to the charge sheet, count one states that the accused on the 21st of November, 2023 and on diverse days between that date and the 26th day of November 2023 in Freetown, being subject to military law, conspired together and with other persons unknown to take part in a mutiny involving the use of violence or the threat of the use of violence to overthrow the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Lawyer Ibrahim Bangura from the Legal Aid Board is representing RSLAF 18171601 Alhaji Koroma and others who cannot afford private counsel.
Counsel informed the Judge Advocate, Marke Ngegba that since the arrest of the accused, he was not granted the opportunity to talk or contact his family members.
Another Defense Counsel, Ady Macauley, also informed the court that his clientโs salary and ration have been swapped, and requested the Judge Advocate to engage and investigate the issue as that is their only source to support their family while in remand.
Lawyer Ibrahim Kamara, another Defense Counsel said he was informed by his client`s wife that they have been asked to vacate the quarters.
According to the Judge Advocate, he cannot give an order that cannot be enforced based on Military policy.
He therefore encouraged Counsels to approach the military authorities and sort the issues out administratively.
The matter has been adjourned to the 12th January, 2024 and opening address and sentencing of the first accused, Alhaji Koroma
