Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 5, 2026 – Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has confirmed the release on bail of Lansana Dumbuya, the National Secretary General of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC).
The detention followed comments Dumbuya made challenging the results of the 2023 presidential elections, which the APC has steadfastly rejected as illegitimate.
In a social media post, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Pleased to share news of the release of our party’s National Secretary-General (NSG), Comrade Lansana Dumbuya, Esq., following a night in police detention. His arrest arose from the expression of his views on the outcome of the 2023 elections, an outcome which the APC continues to reject. NSG Dumbuya has been released on bail pending an investigation; we are expectant that the investigation will uphold his right to express his political views.”
She extended thanks to stakeholders who assisted in securing his release and to APC supporters for their encouragement, concluding with the hashtag #HopeToReality.
The arrest occurred after Dumbuya was summoned to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Freetown on February 4. It followed his participation in an APC rally at Attouga Mini Stadium, where chants allegedly labeled President Julius Maada Bio a “thief.” Police held him overnight, initially refusing bail, on charges related to cyberbullying and incitement. Reports suggest the detention lasted over 48 hours before his release.
The incident ignited swift protests from opposition leaders and APC parliamentarians, who halted all legislative proceedings until Dumbuya was freed. This response underscores the deep-seated divisions in Sierra Leonean politics, originating from the 2023 elections where Bio won re-election with 56% of the vote. The APC, along with some international observers, cited irregularities such as opaque tallying processes, leading to boycotts and demands for reforms.
Prior to the rally, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) had warned that such chants might violate the Political Parties Act, sparking debates on the limits of free speech in political discourse.
As of now, no formal comments have been released by the government or police regarding the ongoing investigation.
