FREETOWN – All eight aspirants vying for the flagbearer position of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) have issued a rare joint statement expressing solidarity with fellow aspirant and senior party lawyer, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK), following his arrest and detention on the orders of the Chief Justice.
The Joint Press Statement dated 9th October 2026, signed by the Collective of APC Flagbearer Aspirants, said they noted “with deep concern” developments at the Supreme Court during the hearing of the constitutional amendment challenge, and the subsequent arrest and detention of their “distinguished fellow member, Comrade Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK).”
JFK, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice and former Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), is a leading legal practitioner and a key member of the APC’s legal team. He was part of the legal team challenging a controversial constitutional amendment process currently before the Supreme Court.
According to reports from the court on Wednesday, JFK was ordered detained for alleged contempt of court following heated exchanges during proceedings. The exact details of the alleged contempt have not yet been made public by the Judiciary.
In their statement, the aspirants described JFK’s wellbeing, personal dignity and fair treatment as being “of paramount importance.”
“We extend our heartfelt empathy, thoughts, and prayers to Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, his family, and his colleagues,” the statement read.
While expressing concern, the aspirants said their statement was made “with absolute respect for the independence of the judiciary and without prejudice to matters currently before the Court.”
They, however, called on the Supreme Court, legal practitioners and members of the public to “exercise restraint and refrain from any actions that may undermine the on-going constitutional review process and further deepen the political divide in the country.”
“The immediate release of our Comrade Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara will help restore public confidence in the Judiciary and advance peace and stability across our nation,” they said.
The statement further urged all party members and the general public to remain calm and avoid words or actions that might distract from the larger issues at stake.
“We urge all stakeholders, supporters, and the public to avoid any words or actions that might distract from the larger issues at stake. Let purpose, responsibility, and respect guide our response – and let the integrity of our democratic institutions remain our shared priority.”
The statement was signed by all eight declared flagbearer aspirants:
1. Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura
2. Lawyer Ady Macauley
3. Alhassan Ghassay Kanu
4. Ansumana U Kamara
5. Lawyer Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah
6. Dr. Ibrahim Bangura
7. Dr. Kaifalla Marah
8. Dr. Victor Davies
This is the first time in this electoral cycle that the aspirants – who are otherwise rivals for the party’s 2028 presidential ticket – have spoken with one voice on a matter affecting one of their own.
JFK was the APC’s vice presidential aspirant in 2018 and is considered one of the party’s most senior lawyers. His detention comes at a sensitive time, as the Supreme Court case on the constitutional amendment is seen as a major test for the country’s democracy ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The Judiciary is yet to issue an official statement on the detention.
