On 14 April 2026, Zainab Sheriff a musician, model and political activist, has been found guilty of two counts under the Public Order Act of 1965 by Magistrate Court No. 1. This is after she was denied bail nine times for misdemeanour offences since she was arrested on 20 February 2026, spending eight weeks in detention before the sentence. Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah convicted her on a count of incitement, and a count of threatening language. She was sentenced to four years imprisonment for incitement and two months for threatening language. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of four years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Sheriff made statements during the rally calling for the death of anyone who rigs or steals elections, and also used language deemed threatening toward President Julius Maada Bio. Sheriff denied that her remarks were intended to incite violence, maintaining that they were political statements aimed at discouraging electoral malpractice.
The ruling has since drawn mixed reactions from civil society and political actors. The Lawyers’ Society has expressed strong concern over the conviction and sentencing, describing the judgment as “unjustifiably excessive” and a potential infringement on fundamental rights. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has expressed their deep concern, stressing the specific laws used to prosecute her have long been criticized by civil society groups. Gender activist Naasu Fofanah has appealed to President Bio to consider clemency, citing concerns about proportionality and the broader implications for free expression.