By: Audrey Raymonda John
Alie Badara Kanu, alias Captain Makeni, and Thaimu Bangura are standing trial before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at High Court No. 1 in Freetown on March 17, 2025. They face two charges: treason, contrary to Section 3 (1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act, 1963 (Act No. 10 of 1963), as repealed and replaced by the Treason and State Offences Amendment Act, 1963 (Act No. 21 of 1963), and misprision of treason.
According to the particulars of the offence, between June 24, 2023, and June 29, 2024, in Freetown, the accused prepared to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means. The second charge states that between January 1 and April 16, 2024, in Freetown, the accused persons, well aware that Captain Senesie, Captain John Conteh (alias Caesar), and other unknown persons had prepared to overthrow the government, unlawfully concealed this information.
When the matter was mentioned, Lead State Counsel, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, respectfully applied to the court to allow Inspector Mohamed Jusu, a member of the Sierra Leone Police Force and a scientific and cyber analyst, to testify in the case of The State vs. Alie Badara Kanu (alias Makeni) and Thaimu Bangura. Although Inspector Jusu’s name was not listed on the back of the indictment, the prosecution argued that his expertise was crucial to the treason case.
The prosecution submitted a written notice of intention to call an additional witness, dated March 14, 2025, which included the following evidence include a cyber report prepared by Inspector Jusu, screenshots of WhatsApp messages, and audio messages downloaded onto a flash drive
These materials were served on the defense on March 14, 2025, in accordance with legal procedures. The prosecution cited Section 188 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965 to support this application.
Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. led the third prosecution witness, Inspector Mohamed Jusu, who is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters on Pademba Road, serving in the Cyber Research Unit as a system and data analyst. His role involves the examination and analysis of electronic evidence, including digital devices. During the investigation following the failed coup on November 26, 2024, he was tasked with examining digital evidence.
As part of the investigation, two mobile phones belonging to the accused were handed over to him. He conducted a physical examination of both devices, ensuring they were in good working order. To maintain the integrity of the devices, he placed both phones on flight mode to prevent data from entering or exiting the phones.
He then performed several command prompts to extract identifying information, including the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) numbers. Using software, he confirmed the phone numbers associated with the devices.
During his examination of the social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, he discovered conversations between the second accused (Thaimu Bangura) and Markus Hossman. He screenshot these conversations, extracted voice notes, and saved the evidential material onto a flash drive. The screenshots and flash drive were tendered in court as part of the official records.
The witness was asked to review the screenshots marked as Exhibit L1-9, in which Markus Hossman referred to the second accused as “Pa Thaimu.” He was also asked to verify the audio recordings stored on the flash drive marked as Exhibit K.
The defense attorney, E. Sundars Esq., cross-examined the witness. At this point, the prosecution concluded their case. The accused persons had previously been charged with treason and misprision of treason, and their case was commited from the Magistrate Court, with the consent of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice. The committal warrant was produced and tendered in court, forming part of the court records.
The accused informed the judge that they intended to open their defense and would call two witnesses each. Justice Stevens refused bail and remanded the accused at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to March 20, 2025.
