Amadu Koita Makalo, a former bodyguard of Sierra Leone’s ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma, has been found guilty of treason and sentenced to 182 years in prison.
Makalo, who also served as a soldier, faced charges of treason, murder, and shooting with intent to murder following attacks on a military barracks and prisons last November.
The violent incidents occurred months after a disputed election in which President Julius Maada Bio narrowly secured a second term.
During the attacks, more than 2,000 prisoners were freed, and at least 20 people were killed before the government regained control, labelling the events as an attempted coup.
Makalo, known for his critical posts about the government on social media, was accused of being one of the coup plot’s organisers. During his sentencing, the judge remarked that Makalo had shown no remorse throughout the trial.
“The purpose of this sentence is to serve as a deterrent for people to know that coups or attempted coups to overthrow any legitimate government are no longer accepted,” Judge Komba Kamanda stated, according to the local newspaper Awoko.
Makalo’s co-accused received sentences ranging from 39 to 182 years. However, the exact terms of their sentences were not disclosed as the court documents had yet to be stamped and signed.
The failed coup led to the arrest of at least 80 individuals, predominantly military personnel. In January, 12 people, including former police officers, were charged with treason and other offences.
Former President Koroma, who led Sierra Leone for 11 years until 2018, was also charged with treason in connection with the coup attempt but denied the charges.
Despite the charges, he was permitted to travel to Nigeria on medical grounds for up to three months and has yet to return to Sierra Leone.
