By Janet A. Sesay
Trial of Amadu Koita and 11 others continues at a Court Martial in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown for treason charges with prosecution and defence counsels making submissions.
A high court judge, Justice Komba Kamanda and 12 jurors are presiding over the trial.
A number of formal witnesses have testified with Inspector Tamba Kasi Brima being the latest to take the stand.
The police inspector informed the court yesterday that Amadu Koita got first-aid treatment before obtaining statements from him as he had slight injuries on his head.
Inspector Brima said, on 4th December, 2024, he was on duty at night when the Police Operations Team brought the accused for alleged treason, murder and other offences.
The accused, witness went on, was allocated to him to obtain statements while a senior police officer posed the questions.
The statement taking, according to the witness, was suspended after the accused showed them stabbed wounds but continued the following day.
The police witness also told the court that the interview was also put on hold for the second time when the accused demanded his lawyer’s presence while making statements.
The interview, witness said, resumed on 8th and completed on 26th December, last year with due respect for investigation rules and regulations.
After his testimony, the police witness was about to read the accused’s statements, when the defence counsel objected on grounds that his clients’ statements should not be heard in open court.
Counsel Sigismond Conteh argued that witness statements should be read in the absence of the public, jurors and other accused persons.
Defence’s objection was upheld, and everyone was asked out of the court except lawyers and security forces.