Freetown, Sierra Leone – April 17, 2026: The criminal proceedings against Lansana Dumbuya, National Secretary General of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), were adjourned today at Magistrate Court No. 1 in Pademba Road.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah granted the defence’s request for additional time to prepare and finalise its no-case submission. The application sought a further two weeks to strengthen legal arguments and was presented by the second defence counsel, as the lead counsel was absent.
State Prosecutor Yusif Issac Sesay did not oppose the adjournment but expressed concern about the pattern of delays, noting that repeated postponements have already extended the case significantly. He called on the court to set a clear schedule to ensure timely progress.
After considering submissions from both sides, the magistrate approved the request and rescheduled the matter for further hearing on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Dumbuya’s existing bail conditions remain in place.
Case Background
Lansana Dumbuya faces three charges — incitement, insulting conduct, and public insult, under Section 12(a) of the Public Order Act of 1965 (as amended). The charges relate to statements he allegedly made at an APC gathering at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown on January 31, 2026, which prosecutors claim criticised President Julius Maada Bio and referenced the 2023 general elections.
The case has attracted considerable attention since February 2026, when Dumbuya was initially detained, briefly remanded to Pademba Road Correctional Centre, and later granted bail. Court sessions have encountered several interruptions, including a previous adjournment prompted by overcrowding concerns related to the size of the defence team.
The upcoming hearing on April 30 will focus on the defence’s no-case submission, during which it may argue that the prosecution has not presented sufficient evidence to require a defence response. If successful, this could lead to the charges being dismissed at this stage.
