By Allieu Sahid Tunkara
The Judge Advocate at the on-going court-martial has acquitted and discharged one of the 14 soldiers standing trial for conspiracy to commit mutiny and incitement to mutiny.
Judge Otto During told RSLAF/18164718 Corporal Alex Jibao Koroma that he had “no case to answer before the court".
He said Corporal Koroma raised an alibi in his statement to the police when he said he was on leave on the 10th of August, 2013, the date on which the prosecution claimed that the alleged mutiny had taken place.
Judge During said that during cross-examination it was clearly brought out that the police investigator went to the accused person’s residence to crosscheck the alibi and found him at home, noting that there was no evidence to prove he conspired with others to commit mutiny as charged.
"I am of the firm conviction that no board members or jury properly directed will convict on such matter," said the judge.
He said that when considering the evidence in its totality, with the exception of the 9th accused, all the other accused persons had a case to answer.
In an exclusive interview with Cpl. Alex Koroma, he told Politico that he was "lost for words upon my release after spending over one year behind bars." He disclosed that he was "sad being away from my family for such a lengthy period, and languishing behind bars." Asked whether he would remain in the army, Alex Jibao Koroma said he intends "to serve the army till 2018 by which time I am due to retire."
Lead Defense Lawyer, Julius Nye Cuffie welcomed the ruling describing it as a "harbinger of good news." He also expressed the hope that the remaining 13 accused persons would also be acquitted as they now prepare to open the case for the defence.
Arrested in August 2013, the accused persons deny charges of conspiracy to commit mutiny and incitement to mutiny.
The case is adjourned to the 12th January, 2015.
© Politico 09/12/14
