A military court martial in Sierra Leone has convicted the former head of the Presidential Guard, Capt Patrick Kamara and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. The captain reportedly escaped from military custody in May almost on the eve of lawyers making their final arguments.
Army spokesman, Brig Alhassan Bangura said Warrant Officer II Abubakarr Jalloh was convicted on one count and sent to three years in prison. Another Warrant Officer II, Sammy Conteh was acquitted on all counts and is to resume service after 377 days in custody while the trial lasted. It is not clear whether he will receive any compensation.
The three men served former President Ernest Bai Koroma and were tried for failing to account for a large cache of ammunition including anti-aircraft ammos, following the elections in March last year which Julius Maada Bio won as president.
Lawyer for Capt Kamara expressed surprise at the court’s decision yesterday. Ady Macauley told Politico: “I am surprised that the military pursued with the trial of Capt Kamara rather than seeking to providing answers to his disappearance”.
He said he had had to withdraw his representation following his client’s disappearance, and refused to make his final arguments because he could not access him for advice.
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