Event Summary
The Secretary General of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party, Mr. Lansana Dumbuya, was denied bail twice by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah, where he is standing trial on three counts of incitement contrary to law, insulting language contrary to Section 2 of the 1965 Public Order Act, and behaving in an insulting manner contrary to Section 12(a) of the 1965 Public Order Act, as amended by the Public Order Act No. 2 of 1973. His alleged offence was a political statement made at a rally of the APC on 31 January 2026, where he accused President Julius Maada Bio of “stealing” the 2023 elections. Mr. Dumbuya was first arraigned in court on Thursday 12 February 2026 where he was charged and pleaded not guilty. He was denied bail by Magistrate Jah after application by his defense team and was sent to remand. He appeared again before the court and was denied bail with the case adjourned to Thursday, 19 February 2026.
In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Dumbuya was granted bail on Tuesday 17 February 2026. However, the case still continues as it was further adjourned to 24 February 2026. Mr. Dumbuya was denied bail twice for misdemeanor offences which are bailable offences, but many alleged that his bail denial is politically motivated by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) senior members in government, with some point finger to President Bio who he allegedly insulted.