APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya Esq. has been denied bail following his first appearance at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing incitement saga involving senior party officials.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah refused bail after Dumbuya was arraigned on three counts: incitement, insulting conduct, and public insult against the President. The charges stem from remarks he made at a recent APC gathering at the Attouga Mini Stadium, where he accused President Julius Maada Bio of stealing the 2023 elections, referencing local and international observer reports.
The matter has been adjourned to February 16, 2026, for hearing.
Dumbuya had earlier been invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning and was initially released on bail before being formally charged to court.
Separately, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) imposed a fine of Le350 million Old Leones on the APC, describing Dumbuya’s remarks as an “incitement statement.” The party reportedly settled the fine on Wednesday. While the sanction targeted the APC as a political organization, the subsequent criminal charges against Dumbuya in his individual capacity have sparked debate among legal analysts over potential issues of double jeopardy and proportionality.
In a related development, proceedings in the incitement case involving Mohamed Moriba, the Southern Province Public Relations Officer of the APC, were adjourned on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. During a hearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah, defense counsel M.A. Kamara informed the court that discussions are underway with the Office of the Attorney-General to explore an out-of-court settlement.
Although the defense had intended to cross-examine a police witness, counsel suspended proceedings to allow room for negotiations. Magistrate Fornah acknowledged the submission but refused bail, ordering that Moriba be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. His case has been adjourned to 13 February 2026 for updates on the settlement talks.
Amid mounting legal pressure, the APC Secretariat also announced an internal administrative adjustment. In a formal delegation of authority, Dumbuya temporarily transferred his responsibilities as Chief Administrative Officer of the party’s Secretariat to another senior official to ensure continuity in administrative operations during his absence.
The unfolding cases highlight intensifying scrutiny of opposition figures over statements deemed politically inflammatory. Observers warn that the combination of regulatory sanctions and criminal prosecution could have broader implications for political speech, due process and democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
