24 Sierra Leonean soldiers are sentenced to long prison terms for failed coup. One gets 120 years
A Sierra Leonean military court has convicted 24 soldiers of their roles in last year's attempted coup
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Twenty-four soldiers in Sierra Leone were sentenced to lengthy prison terms, some for up to 120 years, after being convicted by a military court for their roles in an attempted coup in the West African nation last year.
A seven-member jury convicted the soldiers late Friday following an 8-month trial in the foiled coup against President Julius Maada Bio which occurred in November.
Dozens of gunmen at the time broke into the country’s armory in the capital city and into a prison where the majority of the more than 2,000 inmates were freed. The clashes left 18 security forces dead. Authorities at the time said they arrested around 80 suspects, and a dozen were charged in January, including former president Ernest Bai Koroma, later granted medical leave.
The soldiers convicted on Friday were sentenced to varying prison terms, most imprisoned for dozens of years. The most senior among them — Lt. Col. Charles James Mishek Yamba — was given a 120-year sentence.
They faced up to 88 counts on charges of murder, mutiny, communicating with the enemy, and willful damage to public or military property among others.
Friday’s verdict comes two weeks after a local court sentenced 11 civilians for their role in the attempted coup. Among them was Amadu Koita Makalo, the man accused of leading the attack, who was sentenced to 182 years in prison.
Makalo is an ex-bodyguard of former Sierra Leonean president Ernest Bai Koroma, who was also charged for his alleged role in the incident but was later granted medical leave.