By Saio Marrah
A 12 person jury has been selected for the trial of Amadu Koita and 11 others in the treason trail arising from the November 26 failed coup after 21 rejections. The trial resumes on Monday 12 February, 2024.
All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to counts of treason, murder, shooting with intent to murder, misprision of treason, and harboring. It also include unauthorized wearing of military uniform and unauthorized use of military uniform.
Meanwhile Justice Komba Kamanda, has ordered that lawyer representing Amadu Koita Makalo and 11 others who are standing trial for treason, arising from 26th November 2023 failed coup, be granted unfettered access to their clients. He said that will allow for a speedy trial.
Justice Kamanda’s ruling was delivered on Wednesday 7th February 2024 after one of the defence lawyers, Ady Macauley told the court that they are being constraint as lawyers to have access to their clients at the correctional centers. He told the court that even when they are allowed to talk to their clients, security personnel would always stick around to listen to listen to their conversation.
According to lawyer Macauley, even when the accused persons are in court, they (lawyers) are allowed only 10 minutes to talk to them and that his colleague lawyers had informed him that family members were also barred from seeing the accused persons.
In his response, the lead state prosecutor, Ahmed J.M. Bockarie argued that the correctional center was unable to cater for all family members to have access to the accused persons.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (09/02/24)
