By Yusufu S. Bangura
Sergeant 10020 Emmanuel Salifu Kamara, the third accused in the ongoing treason trial at the Siaka Steven Street High Court in Freetown, firmly denied any involvement in a plot to overthrow President Bio’s government.
During his defense, Kamara told Justice Komba Kamanda that he never conspired with anyone to commit such an act.
Led in evidence by Lawyer Ady Macaulay, Kamara testified that he joined the police force in 2004 and is a trained and qualified armed Operational Support Division (OSD) officer.
He served as a security detail for the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah from 2005 until 2007, and later as a Close Protection Officer for former President Ernest Bai Koroma from 2008 to 2013. Kamara continued to work for former President Koroma at his residence in Makeni from 2018.
“As a Close Protection Officer, I was responsible for the protection of the life and property of Former President Koroma. I stayed close by him while he was in his office, coordinated his movements, and was the only security personnel inside his compound in Makeni,” Kamara stated.
He detailed the security arrangements at the former President’s residence, noting that eight security personnel were assigned there: two military officers, Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorley Bangura (alias ‘Tiger’) and Corporal Yapor Sesay, along with six police officers including himself, ASP Ibrahim Sesay, Inspector Ibrahim Sesay, Inspector Amadu Turay, Inspector Soriba Mansaray, and Sub Inspector Samuel Cole.
Kamara explained that while his family resided in Freetown, he stayed in Makeni. Before his arrest on December 2, 2023, he had last visited Freetown on October 20, 2023.
He recounted his arrest at Toku Barracks in Makeni by AIG Samadia, his brief release, and subsequent re-arrest later that day. He was taken to Freetown for further questioning at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, where he made a statement from 10:30 pm to 2:30 am before being detained.
During his testimony, Kamara was presented with several exhibits, including phone call records made to Soriba Mansaray, Yapor Sesay, and other security personnel before and after the November 26 incident.
He stated that he did not see the two military officers at their deployment on the day of the incident, as they were stationed about half a mile from the main house.
Kamara asserted that his communications with Yapor Sesay on the day of the alleged incident were unrelated to any conspiracy, emphasizing that Yapor was a longtime colleague whom he had known since 2005.
He maintained his innocence, stating, “I will never try to overthrow the government because I am aware that it’s the government that pays my salary and I have worked with two presidents.”
Following his testimony, Kamara was cross-examined by state counsel Ahmed J. M. Bockarie. The case was adjourned by Justice Kamanda to Monday, July 8, 2024.
