The central allegation by the State against Major Alfred Palo Conteh is that he committed treason when he entered a public place – State House on 19th March 2020, with a gun, allegedly intended to kill the president at a meeting.
Alfred Palo Conteh is charged with 13 counts of Treason, contrary to Section 3(1)(b) of the Treason and State Offences Act No. 10 of 1963, “TSOA” (AS AMENDED); (“TSOA”) – Counts 1 & 2; Treason, contrary to section 4(a), of the Treason and State Offences Act No. 10 of 1963, (AS AMENDED) – Count 3; Possession of a Small Arm without a Valid License, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Arms and Ammunition Act, No. 9 of 2012 – Counts 5 & 6; Possession of a Small Arm without a Valid License, contrary to the Arms and Ammunition Act, No. 9 of 2012 – Count 7; Importation of a Small Arm Without a Permit – contrary to Section 16(1) of the Arms and Ammunitions Regulations 2014 – Count 8; Concealing Arms Unlawfully, contrary to Regulation 22 of the Arms and Ammunitions Regulations 2014 – Count 9; Keeping a Greater Number of Small Arms than is specified in a License, contrary to Regulation 29(1) of the Arms and Ammunitions Regulations 2014 – Count 10; Having a Loaded Small Arm in a Public Place, contrary to Regulation 32(1) of the Arms and Ammunitions Regulations 2014 – Count 11; and Making a False Statement on Oath Otherwise than in a Judicial Proceedings, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Perjury Act 1911 – Count 14, 15 & 16.
According to report filed by Sierra Leone Telegraph Court Correspondent, opening the case on behalf of Palo Conteh (First Accused), Lead Counsel – Dr Abdulai Conteh, yesterday told the High Court: “On behalf of the first accused, we want to thank the jury.
“Members of the jury, the case of the Defence is that on an invitation by the President, he visited State House on that day in response to the fight against the deadly Covid-19 pandemic and regrettably stands here today charged with treason.
,” to which Palo said: “On Monday 16th March at about 12 noon, I received a call from the minister of finance that the president is inviting me to a meeting at State House at 3pm on the same day.
