FREETOWN – In a landmark decision under the National Security and Central Intelligence Act of 2023, the High Court in Freetown has sentenced Alpha Sheriff, popularly known as “APC Sheriff,” to five years in prison for operating an unlicensed private security company.
Justice Adrian Fisher handed down the ruling on Tuesday morning, marking the first conviction under the new law aimed at regulating private security services in Sierra Leone.
Sheriff will serve the remaining portion of his sentence after receiving credit for 22 months already spent in pre-trial detention.
In addition to the main charge, Sheriff was also found guilty of possessing unlicensed firearms and unlawfully concealing weapons. However, Justice Fisher ruled that the time already served was sufficient punishment for these offences and imposed no additional prison term.
“The court takes a firm stance against unregulated security operations, which pose serious threats to national safety,” Justice Fisher stated during sentencing. “This decision sends a clear message: all security providers must operate within the bounds of our laws.”
Sheriff’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that the 2023 Act was applied retroactively. The Crown prosecution, however, maintained that the sentence was appropriate and vital to upholding national security.
Sheriff remains in custody at Pademba Road Prison as the appeal process begins.
