This photo, along with other exhibits, played a crucial role in the trial, helping to establish the involvement of the accused in the plot to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio.
In the recently concluded Court Martial trial involving the State versus Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma and 26 others, one of the most significant revelations concerned the “battle preparation” ritual conducted by some of the convicted military personnel.
The prosecution presented compelling evidence that a group of soldiers, who have now been convicted, along with a few others still at large, visited a herbalist named Pa Sesay in Mapaki Village, Paki Masabong Chiefdom, Bombali District.
The purpose of their visit was to undergo a traditional ceremony intended to fortify their bodies with charms, supposedly making them immune to gunshots, ahead of their planned coup on 26 November 2023.
A key piece of evidence submitted by the prosecution was a photograph showing the convicted soldiers in a confident mood, captured shortly after completing one phase of the ceremony. This photo, along with other exhibits, played a crucial role in the trial, helping to establish the involvement of the accused in the plot to overthrow President Julius Maada Bio.
The Public Relations outfit of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has pledged to continue informing the public about the evidence presented during the Court Martial trial.
In the upcoming release, more detailed accounts of the convicts’ statements during the trial and additional photos of the ceremony will be shared, shedding further light on the events that led to the conviction of 25 military personnel involved in the failed coup attempt.
