By Feima Sesay
George Adams, a former Personnel with force number 18172457, has on Wednesday 19th June 2024 sent on remand by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road court No2 over his alleged involvement on the November 26th failed coup.
The accused George Adams made his first appearance in court and was arraigned on three counts charges Treason contrary to section 3 (1 a) of the Treason and State Offences Act 1963, Misprion of Treason contrary to law and murder contrary to section 1 of the Offenses Against the Persons Act 1861 as repealed and replaced by section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022, act No 6 of 2022.
According to the indictment on count one, it was alleged that the accused George Adams on the 11th day of November and 26th November 2023 in Sierra Leone prepared to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
The police further alleged on the Overt Act that the accused between 5th to 26th November 2023, in Sierra Leone conspired together with unknown persons to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone in that they agreed to seize and take control of 5th battalion head quarters, Wilberforce Barracks, Cockrill, 3rd Infantry brigade head quarters, Sierra Leone Correctional centres in Freetown, SLBC in order to overthrow and take control of the Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
It was further alleged that the accused on the 26th November 2023 conspired with other persons unknown in that endeavour to overthrow Government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means violently attacked, broke and opened the male and female correctional centers in Freetown and unlawfully released inmates from said center.
It was further alleged on count two that the accused on diverse dates between 23rd to 25th November 2023, in Freetown knowing that treason was being committed by Amadu Koita Makalo , Leader Boot, Captain Jalloh, Sorieba Mansaray and other persons unknown unlawfully concealed the commission of the said treason.
Whiles count three added that the accused on 26th November 2023, at Pademba Road Correctional Center in Freetown murdered Obi Isaac Johnson
together with other persons unknown to overthrow the Government of Sierra Leone.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken .
The prosecutor DSP Sorie Conteh requested for a date on the grounds that his witnesses were absent and therefore could not proceed.
Defense counsel Ady Macauley informed the court that this was the second time the matter was coming up and they had not proceeded with it.
Magistrate Bangura however refused bail and adjourned the matter to Monday 24th June 2024.
