By Saio Marrah
The cell phone of the first accused, Amadu Koita Makalo in the ongoing treason trial for the November 26th, 2023 failed coup, has been tendered at the court martial in connection to the related offence.
After the tendering of the Samsung galaxy-S23 ultra phone on Thursday 11th April 2024, photos from the phone were displayed in court showing Koita and others, who are said to be on the run, seen performing a ritual with a herbalist.
They were also shown slaughtering a white sheep at the place of the herbalist. This happened after a witness, Detective Mohamed Jusu from the cyber unit was called to tender the said phone.
A WhatsApp conversation of the 6th accused, Corporal Edward Koroma alias Smallie was also displayed in the court martial after his phone had been tendered. Photos on his WhatsApp showed men doing rituals alongside a certain herbalist.
A photo of a white sheep was also captured. His WhatsApp conversation with a person not identified in court at this session indicated that he sent photos of the gate of the general armoury of the Joint Logistics Unit (JLU) situated at Murray town.
Photos of a container and vehicles stationed at the JLU were also sent, accompanied by voice messages.
The twelfth Prosecution witness, Corporal David Saidu, military personnel attached to the Joint Provost Unit at Cockerill military headquarters, also tendered military fatigues and other items to the court at the same session.
The other items include a wallet that contained the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) document of one Mohamed Woodie among other documents that were also tendered in court.
According to Corporal Saidu, the items were retrieved from Woodie when he was arrested at a place known as Cane Stick, Murray Town community.
Amadu Koita Makalo and 11 others are facing a treason trial. Also, 26 military personnel are arraigned before a court martial, for their alleged involvement in an attempted failed coup on the 26th November 2023, in Freetown.
According to officials 18 security personnel on the government’s side and three of the assailants were killed.
Copyright © 2024 Politico Online (12/04/24)
