Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 2, 2026 – The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has publicly criticized the ongoing detention of prominent entertainer and political activist Zainab Sheriff, calling it a “serious cause for concern in a democracy.”
In a statement posted on her Facebook page, Aki-Sawyerr emphasized that “freedom of speech must be applicable to everyone and the law must be consistently applied. Zainab O Sheriff’s continued detention is a serious cause for concern in a democracy.”
Sheriff, a well-known model, actress, musician, and chairperson of the Lappa Movement, was arrested on February 20, 2026, outside the Royal Fitness Gym in Freetown following an intensive manhunt by the Sierra Leone Police.
The arrest came after authorities issued a warrant on February 13 for charges including threatening language, incitement, and other related offenses. These charges stem from remarks Sheriff allegedly made during an opposition All People’s Congress (APC) rally at Atouga Mini Stadium on January 31, where she reportedly stated that those involved in electoral malpractices, including election rigging, and their families should face severe consequences.
Authorities have interpreted parts of her speech, including urging followers to “follow the light,” as incitement.
Following her arrest, Sheriff was detained at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, where she declined to provide a statement without her legal representatives present. She appeared before Magistrate Brima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 on February 23, pleading not guilty to the charges. Despite constitutional protections favoring bail for such offenses under Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024, her bail applications have been denied twice, with the case adjourned to March 4, 2026.
She remains in custody at the female wing of Pademba Road Prison.
The case has ignited broader discussions on freedom of expression and the treatment of women in Sierra Leonean politics. Critics argue that the prosecution represents selective enforcement and punitive excess, especially since the Political Parties Registration Commission had already fined the APC for remarks made at the same rally, a penalty the party paid.
On the other side, government supporters maintain that the charges are justified to prevent threats to public harmony and electoral integrity. The Office of the Ambassador of Entertainment issued a statement acknowledging Sheriff’s role in the industry while appealing for her constitutional rights to be upheld and for bail to be considered where permissible. Civic educators and analysts have also raised alarms, emphasizing that citizens’ rights and due process must not be politicized.
This incident echoes previous arrests of Sheriff, including one in 2023 for allegedly criticizing President Julius Maada Bio and his wife in a social media video. It comes amid ongoing concerns about democratic resilience in Sierra Leone, a nation still building its institutions post-conflict.
Aki-Sawyerr, an APC flagbearer aspirant and vocal advocate for climate action and urban transformation, has previously endorsed Sheriff and shares her opposition affiliation. Her statement adds to calls from civil society for the rule of law to prevail without bias.
