By: Audrey Raymonda John
Appeals court judge Hon.Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens has on Tuesday 10th December 2024 sentenced a coup plotter George Adams to 75yrs imprisonment. He found the accused George Adams guilty for the offense of treason, misprision of treason and murder of a correctional service officer Isaac Johnson during an attempted coup on the 26th November 2023 in the nation’s capital Freetown.
He sentenced George Adams to 75yrs for treason,5yrs for misprision of treason and 70yrs for murder. The convict George Adams is to run the sentence consecutively and to serve a sentence of 150yrs.
The convict George Adams started his preliminary investigation before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No.2 as police alleged that he was involved in the November 26 coup.
Adams was arraigned before the court on three counts charges ranging from 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Misprion of treason contrary to law and murder contrary to section 1 of the offenses against the persons Act 1861 as repealed and replace by section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the death penalty Act 2022, act No 6 of 2022.
The charge sheet indicated that accused George Adams on the 11th 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 by seizing and taking control of 5th Battalion Headquarters, Wilberforce Barracks, Cockrill, 3rd Infantry Brigade Head quarters, Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Freetown as well as the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation in order to overthrow and take control of the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means.
It was furthered alleged that the accused on the 26th November 2023 conspired with other persons unknown to overthrow government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means violently attacked, broke open the male and female correctional center in Freetown and unlawfully released inmates from said center.
The accused on diverse dates between 23rd to 25th November 2023, in Freetown knowing that treason was been committee by Amadu Koita Makalo , Leader boot, captain Jalloh, Sorieba Mansaray and other persons unlawfully concealed the commission of the said treason.
Whiles the charge sheet further added that the accused on 26th November 2023, at Pademba road correctional center in Freetown murdered Obi Isaac Johnson.
However, Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq was the state prosecutor.
