Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Magistrate Court in Freetown has dismissed a no-case submission by the defence team of popular entertainer and political activist Zainab Sheriff, clearing the path for her to begin presenting her defence in a high-profile case involving allegations of incitement and threatening language.
Presiding Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah delivered the ruling on March 31, 2026, determining that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Sheriff, meaning she must now answer to the charges.
The case centres on remarks Sheriff allegedly made during an All People’s Congress (APC) rally at Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown on January 31, 2026.
Prosecutors claim the statements, which referenced election-related grievances and were captured in a video, amounted to incitement and threatening or insulting language under Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965.
Defence lawyers had argued that the charges were legally flawed, lacked evidence of specific victims or clear intent to incite violence, and failed to meet the required threshold. State Counsel, however, countered that the charges were properly framed under Sierra Leonean law and that sufficient evidence had been presented for the matter to proceed to defence.
Magistrate Jah sided with the prosecution, ruling that any purported defects did not prejudice the accused’s right to a fair trial.
Following the decision, Sheriff elected to make an unsworn statement from the dock rather than calling witnesses immediately.
In her address, she maintained that her comments were aimed at discouraging election malpractice and protecting democratic processes, not at provoking violence or unrest. She reportedly described herself as a patriotic Sierra Leonean deeply committed to her country.
Sheriff, who has been remanded in custody at the Female Correctional Facility since February 2026 after repeated bail denials, will remain behind bars as the trial continues.
The case has been adjourned to April 7, 2026, for further proceedings.
