By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a courtroom filled with palpable emotions, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma, formerly of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for his involvement in mutiny charges related to the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023.
During the court proceedings, Koroma, now a convict, pleaded for forgiveness, attributing his actions to being misled by certain individuals. He expressed remorse for his involvement, citing his long and previously unblemished 29-year service to the RSLAF and the nation. However, despite his plea for leniency and a second chance, the court found him guilty on multiple counts related to mutiny and collaboration with the enemy.
The court martial, presided over by Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba and comprising a board of members, heard how Koroma pleaded guilty to nine out of the twenty charges brought against him during the preliminary stage of the trial. These charges included conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny itself, failure to suppress mutiny, aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy, stealing of service and public properties, as well as other disciplinary offenses.
Before the sentencing, defense counsel J. A Jongo emphasized Koroma’s long-standing service to Sierra Leone since his recruitment into the Armed Forces in 1992. Jongo portrayed Koroma’s actions as a mistake and highlighted his client’s family responsibilities as a father of eleven children with numerous dependents.
Contrarily, State Prosecutor JAK Sesay emphasized the gravity of Koroma’s actions, asserting that they had disrupted the peace of the state and tarnished his decades-long service record for selfish motives. Sesay advocated for a punishment commensurate with the severity of the crimes committed, emphasizing the need for adherence to both RSLAF and state laws.
Ultimately, the court sentenced Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma to 30 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit mutiny, mutiny itself, aiding the enemy, and other related charges. The sentence stipulated that the terms for each count would run concurrently, subject to confirmation by the convening authorities.
The verdict serves as a stern reminder of the consequences of actions against the state and reinforces the principle that Sierra Leone does not tolerate acts of mutiny or insubordination within its armed forces.
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