By Yusufu S. Bangura
George Adams, a former military officer identified by force number 18172457, has been remanded to the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
He faces charges related to his alleged participation in the failed coup attempt on November 26, 2023.
Adams appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 to answer three charges: treason, murder, and misprision of treason.
Police in Freetown allege that between November 11th and 26th, 2023, Adams conspired with unidentified individuals to unlawfully overthrow the government of Sierra Leone.
It is further alleged that he collaborated with a group of assailants to seize and control key military installations including the Fifth Battalion at Wilberforce Barracks, Cockeril Barracks, the Third Infantry Brigade, as well as the Male and Female Correctional Centres and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). Their objective purportedly was to forcibly take control of the government.
According to police reports, on November 26, 2023, Adams and his accomplices forcefully breached the Male and Female Correctional Centres in Freetown, releasing over two thousand inmates.
Furthermore, Adams is accused of concealing treason committed by others and conspiring to murder Obi Isaac Johnson at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road between November 23rd and 25th, 2023.
Adams did not enter a plea during the preliminary hearing after the charges were read and explained to him.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, who prosecuted the case, requested an adjournment due to the absence of witnesses who were not adequately prepared to testify. He assured the court of preparing them adequately for the next adjourned date.
Ady Macauley, representing Adams, expressed concerns over the lack of progress from the prosecution despite Adams being in court for the second consecutive time.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail and ordered Adams to remain in custody at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case was adjourned to July 1st, 2024, for the prosecution to present its case.
