The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has warned that the All People’s Congress (APC) risks immediate suspension from all political activities if it fails to pay fines imposed on party officials for alleged profane and inflammatory remarks. PPRC Chairman, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq, said the deadline for payment expires today, and non-compliance would compel the Commission to act.
“If by close of business today the APC has not paid the fine, the Commission will, by tomorrow, suspend the party from all political activities,” Amara told Truth Media FM 103.9.
The fines were issued following remarks made at a January 31 rally at Attouga Mini Stadium, with National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya fined 200,000 leones and party member Zainab Sheriff 150,000 leones. Amara stressed that Section 39 of the Political Parties Regulation Commission Act holds parties accountable for statements made by members, supporters, or operatives, regardless of the platform.
APC Publicity Secretary Sidi Yayah Tunis denied that Sheriff is a party member and said the APC would engage the PPRC over Dumbuya’s fine. Sheriff, however, asserted her right to freedom of expression and threatened to sue the party if the fine is paid. Amara insisted the Commission is enforcing the law as written.
Dumbuya spent a night in custody at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Freetown before being granted bail. His detention prompted opposition lawmakers to suspend parliamentary duties in protest, raising concerns about a clampdown on political speech. Another APC member was reportedly detained over similar remarks.
The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) defended the fines and detention, citing threats to peace, national cohesion, and democratic stability. The APC described the measures as attacks on democratic norms, warning they could disrupt party activities, including upcoming lower-level elections.
While the PPRC has sought to distinguish its regulatory role from police investigations, critics argue that combining administrative fines with criminal detention linked to political speech risks creating a punitive environment for dissent. They say the case highlights ongoing disputes over political expression, regulation, and democratic tolerance in Sierra Leone.
