Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 14, 2026 — Magistrate Court No. 1 at Pademba Road this morning convicted well-known entertainer, model, and political activist, Zainab Sheriff on two counts of public order offences under the Public Order Act 1965.
Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah delivered the verdict during Sheriff’s ninth court appearance. She was found guilty of Count One (Incitement) and Count Two (Threatening Language).
The court sentenced her to four years imprisonment on the incitement charge and two months imprisonment on the threatening language charge. The sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a total of four years behind bars.
Sheriff, who serves as Chairperson of the “Wi Duti” (We Duty) movement and is a vocal supporter of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), was arrested in February 2026. The charges stem from a speech she delivered at an APC rally on January 31, 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown.
Prosecutors alleged that during the rally, Sheriff made statements suggesting that anyone who rigs or steals elections should be killed, and used language referring to the president that they described as threatening. The prosecution presented video evidence, transcripts, and forensic analysis from seized devices as key evidence during the trial.
Throughout the proceedings, Sheriff maintained her innocence. She described her comments as legitimate political speech intended to discourage electoral malpractice, rather than any call to violence. In court, she made an unsworn statement from the dock and chose not to testify under cross-examination.
Her legal team had previously submitted a “no-case submission,” arguing there was insufficient evidence to proceed, but the magistrate rejected it, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.
The conviction and sentencing of the high-profile activist, who has become a prominent voice in Sierra Leone’s political scene, is expected to spark significant reactions from supporters, civil society groups, and the APC. As of now, no immediate information has been released regarding a possible appeal.
