By: Audrey Raymonda John
Joseph Dumbuya (50) and Ahmed Turay (59) made their initial court appearance on Monday, June 2, 2025, before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1, facing treason and murder charges for their alleged roles in the November 26, 2023, coup attempt in Sierra Leone.
The accused are charged with: Treason, contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act of 1963 (as amended); and Murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
According to the indictment, between November 11 and 26, 2023, the two men conspired with others some still unknown to unlawfully overthrow the government. They allegedly targeted key national installations, including:
The 5th Battalion Wilberforce Barracks
The Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockeril
The 3rd Infantry Brigade at Murray Town
The Sierra Leone Correctional Centre, and
The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) at New England Ville.
On November 26, 2023, the accused reportedly participated in a coordinated attack on these facilities. They are alleged to have violently stormed the correctional center, freed inmates unlawfully, and murdered Correctional Officer Obi Isaac Johnson during the operation.
State Prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay led the testimony of Prosecution Witness No. 3, Detective Police Officer Hassan Andrew Sialas Commies (1818), who is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The witness testified that he recognized the second accused and confirmed he was brought to CID Headquarters on May 12, 2025, for questioning. The case was subsequently assigned to him for investigation.
He explained that on May 13, 2025, the second accused was cautioned and interviewed in Krio, with responses recorded in English. The statement, confirmed by the accused with his right-hand thumbprint, was witnessed by DPC Thomas Max Lavalie and later tendered in court as Exhibit D1–46.
Additionally, the witness stated that during a follow-up interview by Sergeant 8914 Solomon Amadu, the accused again confirmed the charge statement, which was tendered as Exhibit C1–2.
After hearing the testimony, Magistrate Jah adjourned the matter to June 5, 2025, for continued proceedings.