A group of 24 soldiers in Sierra Leone have been sentenced by a military court to prison for their involvement in a coup attempt against President Julius Maada Bio last November.
With the Judge giving sentences between 50 and 120 years, these convictions were announced on Friday night at the premises of that court.
This was part of a mutiny which occurred on November 26th leading to attacks on army barracks, two prisons and other places where gunmen freed more than 2,200 prisoners while killing over 20 people.
On July this year, eleven civilians together with police officers and prison officials were jailed for their part in the coup plot.
For several hours after the end of trials seven members of the military jury decided unanimously that most of them were guilty. They faced multiple charges including mutiny, murder or aiding enemy forces as well as stealing government property.
None except one soldiers brought for trial were ordinary rank and file. A Lieutenant Colonel was then sentenced to life imprisonment, with parole after serving 120 years.
At this point Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba who used to be an army man said “when we come to this conclusion in sentencing is to serve as a deterrent”.
Among three others one was acquitted while another had already been sentenced before pleading guilty earlier and the third will conclude his/her hearing later.
The sentences caused commotion within the courtroom as family members mourned loudly for their loved ones who had just been convicted.
The failed attempt came shortly after a disputed election which saw President Bio narrowly retain power for a second term. This followed criticism from both national opposition leader Parami News party and local observers about how fair that poll really was.
