Reliable sources have confirmed that Lansana Dumbuya, Secretary-General of the All People’s Congress (APC), the country’s main opposition party, has been formally charged with three counts of incitement, insulting conduct, and public insult against the President. Truth Media first reported the development as the case began at Pademba Road Court No. 1, where proceedings are currently underway.
According to court filings and police sources, the charges stem from statements and chants made by Dumbuya during the mammoth APC meeting held at Attouga Mini Stadium on January 31, 2026. The rally, which drew large crowds of party supporters, featured vocal criticism of President Julius Maada Bio and sparked earlier regulatory action from the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). Last week the APC was fined NLe350,000 for alleged “incitement” linked to remarks attributed to Dumbuya and actress-politician Zainab Sheriff.”
Following the summons to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on February 4, 2026, Dumbuya was detained overnight. He was later released on bail, with the matter now before the magistrate’s court as investigations continue. Observers say these charges pertain specifically to the language considered inflammatory and directed at the president, as cyberbullying and similar actions are covered by law.
The case has elicited a lot of public interest, a situation that can be understood in the context of prevailing political tensions in Sierra Leone. The APC party has been very vocal about their discontent with the results of the presidential elections that were conducted in 2023. In response to Dumbuya’s arrest last week, prominent figures, including Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, praised his release on bail and described the situation as a test of political expression rights in the country.
The critics of the actions taken against Dumbuya argue that such action may have a chilling effect on legitimate political discourse, particularly when the environment is already quite charged. Experts note that when such charges involving free speech, such as insults or incitement, are used, a balance must be struck between order and freedom of expression. However, authorities contend that they are simply following the law to maintain peace and order.
This is not the first instance when the opposition leaders have come under the judicial scanner for making controversial comments deemed offensive and provocative in nature. There have been several instances in the past when the authorities were obliged to initiate legal action against the accused for engaging in the act of insulting behavior or cyberbullying.
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Consequently, as the proceedings in the Pademba Road Court case continue, the people of Sierra Leone look forward to how the courts will work with the charges and what the aftermath may mean for not only Dumbuya and the APC but also the concept of political expression in Sierra Leone.
