Francis Minah

Francis Misheck Minah (19 August 1929 – 1989) was a Sierra Leonean statesman, lawyer and politician who served as First Vice President of Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1987 under President Siaka Stevens. An ethnic Mende from the Pujehun District, he became a member of the House of Representatives in 1967. He had previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Trade and Industry and Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

In 1987, Minah was investigated by Inspector General Bambay Kamara for plotting a coup against President Joseph Saidu Momoh. He was convicted along with 17 others after a five-month trial and subsequently hanged for treason in 1989. A team of international oberservers from Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Algeria and South Korea all concurred that the trial was justified, and was not politically motivated.

Early life and education Minah was born on 19 August 1929 in Sawula, Pujehun District, British Sierra Leone. He was a cousin of Siaka Probyn Stevens. under former president Siaka Stevens. He was later appointed the Vice President of Sierra Leone under former president Joseph Saidu Momoh administration.

Trial and execution On 23 March 1987, police raided a house in Freetown and reported the discovery of heavy artillery, including rocket launchers. Minah and 17 others (including Jamil Sahid Mohamed) were arrested and accused of planning to assassinate President Momoh and intending to stage a coup d'état in order to make Minah president of Sierra Leone.

In October 1987, after a five-month trial and four hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict. The former First Vice President and 17 others were convicted of treason and sentenced to death.

Legacy He is survived by his children Katie Minah, John Minah, Feimatta Otusanya née Minah, Vandi Minah, Francis Minah and Christian Minah, his sister Paramount Chief Matilda Lansana Minah MP (Sierra Leone), his brother, Jacob Minah and many nieces and nephews.