By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens of the Freetown High Court sentenced Alie Badara Kanu and Thaimu Bangura to 120 years in prison each on Monday, 24 March 2025, after a twelve-member jury found them guilty of treason and misprision of treason.
The convicts, Kanu and Bangura, were charged with two counts of treason under Section 3(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offenses Act 1963, Act No. 10, as amended by the Treason and State Offenses Amendment Act 1963, Act No. 21. They were accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Sierra Leone by unlawful means. The indictment stated that the convicts, between 24 June 2023 and 29 June 2024, in Freetown, conspired to overthrow the government. Additionally, between 1 January and 16 April 2024, they failed to report knowledge of a conspiracy involving Captain Senesie, Captain John Conteh alias Caesar, and others to overthrow the government.
In his defense, counsel S. Turay, representing Alie Badara Kanu, argued that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges. He pointed out that the prosecution had not provided any proof linking Kanu to the alleged plot, including evidence that he was part of a WhatsApp group planning the government’s overthrow. Turay further argued that Kanu had been dismissed from the military for allegedly participating in the group but was never shown to have purchased weapons or attended meetings related to the conspiracy. He also emphasized that Kanu had handed over all military equipment upon his dismissal and was arrested months after the alleged planning period, suggesting that he could not have been involved in any conspiracy.
On behalf of the second convict, Bangura, defense counsel E. Sunder adopted Turay’s arguments and added that discrepancies in the place of birth mentioned in Bangura’s police statement indicated bias. Sunder also noted the prosecution’s failure to provide evidence proving that the phone number presented in court belonged to Bangura.
In response, State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay argued that there was sufficient evidence, including testimonies from witnesses, to prove that both convicts were part of the WhatsApp group and had attended meetings plotting to overthrow the government. He also highlighted confessional statements made by the convicts, which he claimed were sufficient to establish their guilt.
Justice Stevens, in his summing-up address to the jury, explained that treason involves plotting or taking action to overthrow a government. He emphasized that confessional statements are considered as clear admissions of guilt and do not require additional evidence. Regarding Bangura’s statement, the judge pointed out the use of the phrase “kick the bucket,” which he interpreted as an indirect confession of planning to kill government officials.
After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of guilty for both convicts. In their allocutus, both Kanu and Bangura pleaded for mercy, citing their family responsibilities. Defense counsel also urged the judge to show leniency, highlighting that their clients were family men and primary breadwinners.
In sentencing, Justice Stevens handed down a sentence of 120 years imprisonment for each convict, with the sentences to run consecutively.
