By Jeneba A. Conteh.
In a significant legal development, Joseph Dumbuya and Ahmed Turay were formally committed to Freetown’s High Court on charges of treason and murder. Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah decided their appearance at Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on Tuesday. The duo faces serious charges, including conspiring to undermine the government and committing acts of violence that resulted in death.
The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between November 11 and November 26, 2023. During this time, Dumbuya and Turay, along with unidentified accomplices, are said to have planned to seize control of several critical locations throughout the country. These strategic locations include military installations and key government facilities like the 5th Battalion Wilberforce Barracks, the Joint Force Command Headquarters in Cockeril, and the 3rd Infantry Brigade in Murray Town. They are also accused of targeting the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre and Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, both of which are located in New England Ville.
The situation erupted dramatically on November 26, 2023, when the accused allegedly carried out a violent assault on the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre. During this attack, they are accused of illegally releasing inmates and fatally attacking Correctional Officer Obi Isaac Johnson, which has increased the severity of the charges against them.
Magistrate Jah emphasised the gravity of the treason charges in his decision, stating that the accused are accused of attempting to overthrow the Sierra Leonean government through illegal means. He confirmed that a thorough preliminary investigation had been conducted, during which the prosecution, represented by Yusuf I. Sesay Esq., presented four witnesses for cross-examination by the defence attorney, C. Kamara Esq.
After carefully reviewing the evidence presented, Magistrate Jah expressed his satisfaction with the prosecution’s case, noting that the accused had ample time to examine the testimonies and evidence. As a result, he ordered that Joseph Dumbuya and Ahmed Turay be committed to stand trial at the High Court of Freetown.
When allowed to make additional statements, the accused chose to seek legal representation. They stated that they did not have any witnesses to testify on their behalf before the High Court, but that “Allah is our witness.” The case is now scheduled to proceed to the High Court for further legal proceedings, marking a watershed moment in this serious case.
