Joseph Dumbuya and Ahmed Turay appeared before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 on Tuesday for a ruling related to serious charges of treason and murder.

The two men are charged with treason, contrary to section 3(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offenses Act of 1963 (as amended), and murder, contrary to section 1 of the Offenses Against the Persons Act of 1861.

According to the indictment, between November 11 and 26, 2023, Dumbuya and Turay allegedly conspired with others to seize strategic locations, including military installations and government facilities such as the 5th Battalion Wilberforce Barracks, the Joint Force Command headquarters at Cockeril, the 3rd Infantry Brigade at Murray Town, the Sierra Leone Correctional Center, and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation at New Englandville.

The situation escalated on November 26, 2023 when the accused reportedly carried out a violent assault on the correctional center, unlawfully releasing inmates and fatally attacking Correctional officer Obi Isaac Johnson.

During the ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that Dumbuya and Turay were charged with treason as they allegedly prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means. He noted that a preliminary investigation had been conducted, and the prosecution, led by Yusuf I. Sesay Esq., presented four witnesses who testified and were cross-examined by defense counsel C. Kamara Esq.

After evaluating the evidence presented, Magistrate Jah expressed satisfaction with the prosecution’s case, stating that the accused had ample opportunity to examine the evidence. Consequently, he committed Dumbuya and Turay to the High Court of Freetown to stand trial.

When asked if they wished to add any further statements, the accused requested their counsel to be present for their defense. They also indicated they had no witnesses but claimed, “Allah is their witness.”

The case will now proceed to the High Court, where further legal proceedings will take place.