By Janet A. Sesay
The treason Trial between the state and Captain Alie Badara Kanu and Thaimu Bangura came up again yesterday, Wednesday, 21st August, 2024 before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 where the statements of Captain Alie Badara Kanu were tendered before the court by a Police Witness, Inspector Abu Bakarr Kargbo.
Before commencement of the matter, State Counsel, Yusuf Isaac Sesay made a submission pursuant to Section 1(2) of the Treason Act of 1963 as amended, declaring that the Attorney General has given consent for the Prosecution to proceed with the matter against the accused person, Captain Alie Badara Kanu and Thaimu Bangura.
In his testimony, Detective Inspector Abu Bakarr Kargbo attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown, recognized the First Accused, Captain Kanu in the dock. He recalled on 21st April, 2024, when he was on duty and was asked to obtained statements from the accused on allegations of treason and other related offences.
Witness Kargbo explained that he collected one android mobile phone from the accused and forwarded it to the Cyber Units at the CID, headed by Inspector Mohamed Jusu for forensic examination and that on the same day; he obtained voluntary cautionary statements from the accused, Captain Kanu in observance of the Judges Rules. He however noted that the statement taking was suspended when moves were made for the submission of the android phone to the Cyber Officer for examination.
He furthered that on the 25th April, 2024, the interview commenced with a request by Captain Kanu to make certain revelations pertaining to the allegations levied against him, but according to the witness, they continued with the statement taking, but that it was again suspended in order to seek clarifications.
He said the statement continued on 27th June 2024, alongside a colleague, Inspector Hassan Dumbuya in observance of the Judges Rules. The statements of Captain Kanu was tendered in court and marked as Exhibit A1-33. Detective Inspector Kargbo went on that after completing obtaining statements from the accused, he charged him with the offences of treason and misprision of treason on 29th July, 2024. The charge sheet was tendered in court as Exhibit B1-2.
Detective Kargbo went on to state that the phone of the accused was returned to him and he was confronted with the issues of police interest issues found in the phone. He said the phone was again retrieved from Captain Kanu by Inspector Issa Sesay who later handed it over to the Cyber Office for safe keeping.
Defense Counsel, Chernor Kamara pleaded for a deferral of cross examination, stating that he is under instruction from the Lead Defense Counsel, M. Y. Kanu not to cross examine the witness but to seek for a short adjournment, attributing the seek for the adjournment to the ill-health of the Lead Defense Counsel.
State Counsel, Yusuf Isaac Sesay observed that it was the Defense that was earlier urging for a speedy process and now they are slowing it by seeking adjournments. He therefore pleaded with the court and the Prosecutor to give them a last chance. The matter was however adjourned to 28th August, 2024.
The accused were arraigned before the court on two count charges of treason and misprision of treason both contrary law. The indictment states that the accused on diverse dates between 24th June, 2023 and 29th June 2024 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The indictment in a further over act stated that the accused between June 2023 and March 2024 in furtherance of the preparation to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means, Captain Alie Badara operated a WhatsApp communication between him and unknown members of the said WhatsApp group.
The charge sheet furthered that Thaimu Bangura and other persons unknown in preparation to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means created a WhatsApp group called “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy” joined by Alie Badara and other members.
It also states that the accused also on diverse dates on 31st March 2024 and 19th April 2024 conspired with other persons unknown to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by agreeing to recruit individual members of the Armed Forces of Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Police Force and Ex-military Officers across the country. Additionally, the charge sheet sates that the accused purchased arms in furtherance of their plot to overthrow and take over the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The over act further asserts that the accused between 29th July, 2023 and 31st March 2024 held meetings at Camp Junction in Waterloo and Four Mile in furtherance to prepare to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone. It highlights that the accused Thaimu Bangura on 1st March, 2024 in furtherance to plot to over throw the Government by unlawful means, formatted a code for weapons and also on the 15th April, 2024 in preparedness to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone circulated military deployments across the country.
The charge sheet also states that both accused with other persons unknown, in preparation to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone planned to hold a violent protest which they will use as a cover to carry out their unlawful plot, and that the accused knowing well that Caesar, Captain Senessie and Captain John Conteh and others had prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra unlawfully concealed the said information.