Freetown, Sierra Leone – February 17, 2025 – The Sierra Leone Court of Appeal has officially scheduled the hearing for Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray’s appeal against the State for Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
The session will take place at the Law Courts Building in Freetown. Notifications have been dispatched to both the State and Mansaray’s legal representatives to ensure all parties are prepared for the upcoming proceedings.
Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray is a notable Sierra Leonean politician and psychologist, recognized for founding and leading the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) since 2015. Before establishing the ADP, Mansaray was an active member of the All People’s Congress (APC) party’s U.S. branch but parted ways in 2014 due to internal disagreements. He subsequently formed the ADP to challenge Sierra Leone’s dominant political entities, positioning himself as a voice for marginalized communities. Mansaray has been an outspoken critic of political elites, including President Ernest Bai Koroma and the ruling APC party.
In July 2020, Mansaray was arrested on allegations of sexual offenses involving a minor, charges he has consistently denied, labeling them as politically motivated. His detention without bail for over a year drew criticism from human rights organizations and opposition groups, who viewed the process as a miscarriage of justice aimed at silencing a vocal government critic. In February 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to 70 years in prison. However, in September 2023, the Court of Appeal granted him bail pending his appeal.
Following his release, Mansaray sought medical treatment due to health issues that arose during his incarceration. He traveled to the United States, where he reunited with his family after nearly five years.
In December 2024, he resumed his political activism, openly criticizing the current government led by President Julius Maada Bio. Mansaray has utilized social media platforms to voice concerns about governance, economic challenges, and alleged mismanagement, reaffirming his commitment to advocate for the people of Sierra Leone.
The upcoming appeal hearing represents a pivotal moment in Mansaray’s prolonged legal battle, with significant implications for his political career and the broader political landscape of Sierra Leone.
