By Francess Hawanata Kamara

In a hearing on Wednesday, 11th September 2024, two accused persons named, Alie Badara Kanu alias Captain Makeni and Thaimu Bangma made another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at court No.2 at Pademba Road, Freetown.

They  were alleged to have committed an act of treason, which contravenes the laws of Sierra Leone, and the prosecution has committed the trial to the High Court of Sierra Leone.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Yusif Isaac Sesay, made his submission to the Magistrate, in his application he filed.

Prior to the committal, Magistrate Santigie Bangura made clarification that the accused persons were arraigned on two count charges of Treason and Misprision of Treason. The case commenced as a preliminary investigation and the prosecution called three witnesses, and those witnesses produced evidence on the alleged offences, in which they were cross examined by the defense counsel.

He further said that at the end of the case the prosecution relied on the totality of the evidence been put before the court.

He said the prosecution had proven against the accused persons, which warranted them to stand trial at the High Court.

In the ongoing proceedings , the first accused Alie Badara Kanu made submission that at the time he was arrested he was unconscious and even when statements were obtained from him he was still unconscious and so some bits of evidence  in his statement did not come from him.

“I want to change my statements, ” he added.

The second accused Thaimu Bangura claimed that a particular person made a complainant against him on such offense, but did not see the individual in the dock to testify during the trial. He was asked by the Magistrate if he would like to change his statement he had made to the police but he said he is fine that.

Both accused also informed the court that they would cooperate with the High Court.

According to the particulars of offence, they had been arraigned on two counts, treason and misprision of treason.

On a date unknown between June 2023 to March 2024, the accused engaged in a preparation to over thrown the government by an unlawful means.

The charge sheet indicated that the two accused were in a Whats’App Group called Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD).

And they used the group to conspire with an unknown person to recruit Armed Forces Men, Ex- service men and Police Officers, to overthrow the sitting government.