By Dauda Koroma
Accused witness No.20 RSLAF 18179930 Sergeant Aiah Kemoh has in opening his defence in the ongoing Court Martial on Thursday 25 July 2024, before the Judge Advocate Mark Ngegba said that he is a Sergeant in the Republic of Armed Forces of Sierra Leone (RSLAF) and live at Wilberforce Military Barracks Freetown. He recalled on the 21-25 November 2023, whiles he was at AFTEC at Wilberforce Barracks. And on the 26 November 2023, he was at his quarter at Wilberforce Barracks with his 2 daughters Kadijah Fofanah and Bilkis Fofanah.
Sergeant Fofanah told the Court Martial that around 4-5am he was in the living room where he normally pray, when one of his daughter came to the living room shouting in Krio saying; ‘papa listen ba’ meaning daddy daddy listen!.
When he got up, he heard firing, and he called one Sergeant Francis his neighbour through phone, he did not answer but his wife did.
He then called one Corporal no the phone by the name of Abdul and asked him if he is hearing firing and Abdul said yes.
He then asked the Sergeant who was his neighbour what to do? But the Sergeant laughed at him. The witness then told him to go in as they must blow fire alarm.
The witness said he went in and prayed and later called one Mr. Foray at Benguema to know what the situation at Benguema was.
And Mr. Foray asked him what is going on in town? And he told him he is just hearing firing.
And Mr. Foray then told him they at Benguema are on standby.
The accused defence witness further that between the 1 November 26 2023, he did not receive any call from Amadu Koita as he was alleged.
And the witness further told the Court Martial that he made statement at the Military Police (MP) on the 29 December 2023, where he was accused of sending audio message to Amadu Koita Makalo which he denied.
He said that as he made statement at the Wilberforce where then saw a Military Land Cruiser and saw Major Conteh came down from the vehicle and said soja na u na Kemoh?
He said yes. And Major Conteh told him he has a number for him as was given by someone.
The accused witness said he then asked Major Conteh who is the person that gave him number for him?
The Major said don’t ask me. Then the Major asked for his statement and asked to terminate his statement and said they should start all over.
The witness said initially he got annoyed but he was cautioned by his colleagues to say what he said before. Then he started all over again.
The accused witness statement was shown to the defence witness whose telephone number is +447984936964 which belong to Amadu Koita Makalo on the 26 November 2023, send an audio to him. The accused denied that he did not know the number nor received or send any voice note to Amadu Koita Makalo.
Another statement was shown to the accused which he denied his Date of Birth that was inserted and said it is wrong, but his phone number is correct.
He said that he saw two things that were inserted in his statement without his knowledge.
The accused added that he asked for 14 days leave to rest.
He also said on the 26 November 2023, he was not on duty neither having weapon on that day.
The accused witness finally told the Court Martial that in his statements something went wrong as the police and the Military Police inserted things in his statements that he did not say or mentioned.
And one of his statements at MP Wilberforce and medical request form was not brought to Court which he wants the Court to take note on.
In cross examination by the State Counsel JAK Sesay Esq. asked the accused witness if he knows Amadu Koita? The accused witness answer in the affirmative.
Matter adjourned comes up on Friday 2 August 2024 for other defence accused witness to open his case.
