By Allieu Sahid Tunkara
Private Tamba Sheku, who is standing trial for alleged mutiny with 12 other accused persons at the court martial presided over by Judge Advocate Otto During, has testified that he never incited his co- accused to rebel against the government of Sierra Leone and the army leadership.
While testifying on Monday, Sheku intimated the court that he was posted to the canteen as a salesman, and that he also performed other duties at the said canteen on a 72-hour basis.
Throughout his posting at the canteen, Sheku continued, he worked under the direct supervision of Corporal Lamin Kamara, who was the auditor of the canteen. He maintained that throughout the month of August, 2013, he was on duty at the canteen and never left Makeni for anywhere else.
“During my free periods when I was relieved by private Bangura, I stayed at home with my family,” the accused said. The accused further stated that he was arrested on 16th August, 2013 when he was with his family at his quarters at Teko Barracks. Upon his arrest, he went on, he was taken to the military authorities at the 4th Battalion, who, he said, informed him that they had heard a rumour that soldiers were holding secret meetings at St. Andrews Secondary School in Makeni.
Having replied that he never knew about such meetings, Sheku told the court martial, Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM) Francis Kamanda ordered his arrest and detention at the battalion guardroom and later transferred him to the custodial centre at Wilberforce military barracks, where police officers obtained statements from him.
“Throughout August 2013, I participated in no secret meeting and I provided no support to co-accused persons to rebel against the government and the army leadership,” he said.
Prior to the accused person’s testimony, Coporal Lamin Kamara, who was led in evidence by Ishmail Philip Mamie, counsel for the defence, confirmed that he was the auditor of the said canteen and that the accused was the salesman and also worked under his direct supervision.
In his testimony, Kamara described Private Tamba Sheku as a loyal and disciplined soldier.
“Private Tamba Sheku worked with me for one year, and he diligently performed all duties assigned to him,” Kamara said. Since he conducted the routine checks, as unfolded in his testimony, Kamara said the accused never abandoned his place of duty.
Kamara further revealed that Private Tamba Sheku worked alternatively at the canteen on a 72-hour basis, and that he ended his tour of duty whenever he was relieved by his only workmate, Private Bangura.
During cross examination by state prosecutor, Vincent Sowa, the witness disclosed that apart from private Tamba Sheku being a soldier, he is also a musician who recently released an album although he could not remember its title. He further pointed out that the accused person used to show him music scripts whilst they were on duty at the canteen.
“Throughout my supervision of the accused, I have never heard him negatively influencing his colleagues to rebel against the government or the military authorities.
Arrested in August, 2013, thirteen soldiers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces are standing trial at the court martial for conspiracy, mutiny and failure to surpress mutiny. They have been in remand at the Pa Demba Road Correctional Center since their arrest, although they deny all charges brought against them.
The matter comes up on Monday next week.
© Politico 12/03/15
