By Saio Marrah
Warrant Officer Class two, Adekali Turay has told the judge presiding at the ongoing court martial, that he needs urgent medical attention to treat a bullet wound he sustained during the November 26 2023 failed coup.
The 16th accused told Judge Advocate, Mark Ngegba on Wednesday June 12th 2024, that he was in his office at Armed Forces Personnel Centre, Cockerill Military headquarters in Freetown when he was shot on his right shoulder. He said at the time he was evacuated to 34 Military Hospital where he was treated by one Dr. Nabieu, who removed the bullet from his body. He said after his detention he has not been able to access medical care.
In reply, Judge Advocate Ngegba told the accused to channel his concerns through his lawyer for the attention of the court.
During the same hearing, lawyers representing the 11th, 15th and 25th accused persons told the court that they had presented their no-case submissions in respect of their clients and the prosecution had been served.
Lawyer Julian Cole, representing the 17th accused, addressed the court on behalf of other lawyers representing five accused persons who failed to present their no-case submissions against Wednesday’s deadline and pleaded for a one week extension for them to comply.
State prosecutor, Joseph A.K. Sesay told the court that the state needs time to go through the no-case submissions presented so far to be able to respond.
Judge Advocate Ngegba said he had received three out of nine no-case submissions from lawyers who chose to do so and ordered those representing the remaining six accused persons to present theirs by 17:00 hours on the same day of the court session or they would be required to open their defence immediately.
He also ordered the prosecution to reply to the no-case submissions against June 17, 2024.
After the first accused, Staff Sergeant Alhaji Koroma was sentenced to 30 years following his guilty plea to nine out of 20 counts, the remaining 26 accused persons before the court martial are facing 88 counts including mutiny, murder and aiding the enemy.
The case resumes June 25, 2024.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (20/06/24)
