Two Sent on Remand for Treason
By Fatima Sesay
Joseph Dumbuya, 50, and Ahmed Turay, 59, were remanded in custody on Thursday, 15th May 2025, following their first court appearance before Principal Magistrate Shar Kekura at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1. The two men are accused of conspiring with unknown individuals to unlawfully overthrow the government of Sierra Leone. The accused are facing two charges: Treason, contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act of 1963 (as amended), and Murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861. According to the indictment, between 11th and 26th November 2023, in Freetown, the accused allegedly prepared to overthrow the government by unlawful means. It further alleges that they conspired to seize and take control of several key state institutions, including the 5th Battalion at Wilberforce Barracks, the Joint Force Command Headquarters at Cockeril, the 3rd Infantry Brigade at Murray Town, the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre, and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in New England Ville. On 26th November 2023, the accused allegedly attempted to violently overthrow the government. They reportedly broke into the male and female correctional centres, unlawfully released inmates, and killed a correctional officer, Obi Isaac Johnson, during the attack. Due to the severity of the charges, no plea was taken during the proceedings. The lead prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Mansaray, informed the court that his witnesses were absent and requested an adjournment. Magistrate Kekura ordered that the accused be remanded in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for Monday, 19th May 2025.
