By Janet A. Sesay
Joseph Dumbuya (50yrs) and Ahmed Turay (59yrs) on Thursday, 15th May 2025, made their first appearance before the Principal Magistrate of the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1, Magistrate Sahr Kekura for allegedly conspiring with other persons unknown to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The accused persons were arraigned before the court on two count charges of treason, contrary to Section 3(1) (a) of the Treason and State Offense Act of 1963 Act No.10 of 1963 as repealed and replaced by the Treason and State Offense Amendment Act of 1963 and murder contrary to Section 1 of the Offense Against the Person’s Act of 1861.
The indictment states that both on a date unknown between 11th November, 2023 and 26th November, 2023 in Freetown, prepared to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The overact states that the accused on the same day conspired with other persons unknown to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone in agreement to seize and take control of the 5th Battalion at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown.
The accused are alleged to have also planned to seize and take control of the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockeril, the 3rd Infantry Brigade at Murray town; take control of the Sierra Leone Correctional Centers, seize and take control of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation at New England Ville and also to overthrow and take control of the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The overact further states that the accused persons on the 26th November 2023 endeavored to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means with plans to violently break into and open the Male and Female Correctional Centers and unlawfully release inmates from the said Centers.
The accused persons, according to the overact also endeavored to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means by violently attacking the Male Correctional Center in Freetown and killed Obi Isaac Johnson, a Correctional Center Officer.
The indictment ended with the charge that the accused persons, on the 26th May, 2023 in Freetown, murdered Obi Isaac Johnson.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken because of the seriousness of the offenses.
The Prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Mansaray sought for an adjournment that the Prosecution Witnesses are absent in court.
The accused persons have been remanded in custody until Monday, 19th May 2025 for continuation of hearing.