Former President’s Bodyguard Denies Coup Conspiracy Charges
Former President Koroma’s bodyguard, Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorllu Bangura, denies accusations of conspiracy and other serious charges at his court martial. He states he was not in Freetown during the alleged events and claims he lost contact with his phone amid personal troubles while traveling for a family funeral. His trial proceedings continue as he maintains his innocence amid the allegations.
Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorllu Bangura, who served as a bodyguard for former President Ernest Bai Koroma, declared his innocence regarding accusations of conspiracy to commit mutiny, murder, and other offenses at his ongoing court martial. Testifying on July 29, 2024, he denied being present in Freetown between November 25 and 26, 2023, and refuted claims that he sent a voice note via WhatsApp.
On November 23, 2023, Bangura stated he sought permission from his Chief Security Officer to travel from Makeni to his village for his aunt’s funeral. He described feeling unwell during the trip and noted that the funeral did not occur because many family members were absent. Subsequently, he continued his journey to Magburaka and then back to Makeni, where he called a nurse for treatment.
Bangura recounted losing his phone when a stranger answered calls on his behalf; the stranger claimed to have found it in a vehicle. He reported the incident to the Rogbaneh Police and later purchased a replacement phone. On December 1, a Major Bangura from Cockerill inquired about a colleague named Yapo, to which Bangura responded that Yapo was on duty.
Upon further questioning, Bangura indicated that Yapo was not present in his assigned area and had seen him heading home with a backpack. Following this, Bangura was called to the brigade by Colonel Pessima, who presented a video of a woman claiming to have seen Yapo in Freetown. Bangura expressed uncertainty about Yapo’s whereabouts during the inquiry.
Bangura stated that he was instructed by Colonel T.M. Brima, the outgoing brigade commander, to assist in locating Yapo. He provided Yapo’s brother’s contact information to the commander, yet efforts to locate Yapo in the village were unsuccessful. When he subsequently reported to CID to clarify the situation, he was arrested and accused of sending a WhatsApp voice note, which he adamantly denied, asserting he had never used a smartphone before.
The accused claimed his statement to the court occurred in the presence of his attorney, Ady Macauley, after experiencing an extended detention in isolation. Bangura’s trial continues as he maintains his innocence amidst serious allegations.
The charges against Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorllu Bangura come amidst a broader context of political unrest in Sierra Leone, where military and government officials are often scrutinized following attempts of insurrection. Court martial proceedings are a means to address allegations of misconduct within the armed forces, especially concerning conspiracy or mutiny against the state. Bangura, associated with a former presidential administration, navigates complicated allegations that reflect ongoing tensions in the country’s political and military landscape.
In summary, Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Thorllu Bangura is contesting serious allegations of conspiracy to commit mutiny and related offenses, highlighting his absence from the purported events and a lack of engagement with technology implicated in the charges. His testimony reflects a personal account of events leading up to his arrest and underscores complications faced by former military personnel amidst political instability in Sierra Leone.
Original Source: politicosl.com
