APC Secretary General Remanded to Prison Over Incitement Charges
The Secretary-General of the All People’s Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya, has been remanded at the Pademba Road Prison after pleading not guilty to three criminal charges—incitement, insulting language, and behaving in an insulting manner against the President.
Mr. Dumbuya was arraigned before Magistrate Brima Jah at Court No. 1 on Pademba Road in Freetown in connection with remarks he allegedly made during the APC’s mammoth meeting at Attouga Mini Stadium.
The matter, filed between the Inspector General of Police and Mr. Dumbuya, opened with the announcement of appearances. The defendant appeared in person and was represented by a legal team led by Sulaiman Kabba Koroma Esq. The prosecution was led by Y. I. Sesay Esq and A. B. N. Taylor-Kamara Esq on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
Upon the charges being read by the Court Registrar, Mr. Dumbuya pleaded not guilty to all three counts. The prosecution alleged that the offences stemmed from statements said to amount to incitement, insulting conduct, and public insult directed at President Julius Maada Bio.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel Y. I. Sesay applied for an adjournment, informing the court that he had received instructions on the day of the hearing to take over conduct of the matter. He sought time to prepare witnesses and properly organise the prosecution’s case. He also disclosed that an Affidavit in Opposition had been served on the defence.
Lead defence counsel Sulaiman Kabba Koroma applied for bail, arguing that the prosecution’s request for an adjournment demonstrated a lack of readiness to proceed. He submitted that bail forms part of the constitutional safeguards afforded to accused persons and relied on Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024. He maintained that the defendant posed no flight risk, had no capacity to interfere with witnesses, and was charged with offences of limited gravity.
Counsel further referred to a press release dated 4 February 2026, signed by Mr. Dumbuya in his capacity as APC Secretary-General, in which he denied any intention to incite public disorder. He argued that no public disorder occurred following the statement and that no arrests were made. He urged the court to uphold the presumption of innocence.
Highlighting the defendant’s professional standing, counsel stated that Mr. Dumbuya has practised law for 26 years without disciplinary action before the General Legal Council. He described him as Head of Chambers at Lansana Dumbuya and Associates, a human rights lawyer, playwright, and politician. Relying on Section 25 of the 1991 Constitution, counsel argued that the statements fell within the bounds of protected political expression and did not amount to criminal conduct.
Counsel also informed the court that Mr. Dumbuya’s presence was required for internal party elections scheduled for Saturday.
In his ruling, Magistrate Brima Jah refused bail at this stage, stating that the matter involved criminal allegations and was at a crucial point, as the court had yet to hear evidence from the prosecution and its witnesses. He ordered that the accused be remanded at Pademba Road Prison.
The case was adjourned to Monday, 16 February 2026, for further hearing.
The court proceedings follow earlier action by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) against the APC. On 2 February 2026, the Commission fined the party NLe 350,000 for alleged breaches of Section 39(1)(c) and (d) of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022, said to have arisen from statements attributed to Mr. Dumbuya and APC member Zainab Sheriff.
Although the Commission issued a suspension notice on 11 February 2026 for failure to meet the payment deadline of 10 February, the APC later paid the full NLe 350,000 fine. In a subsequent public notice, the Commission confirmed receipt of the payment and lifted the suspension, urging the party and its officials to comply with the law going forward.
