Freetown, Sierra Leone — March 11, 2026 – Popular Sierra Leonean model, entertainer, musician, and political activist Zainab Sheriff, widely known as “De Mammy nar Pawa”, has been sent back to the Female Correctional Facility at Pademba Road Prison after Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah denied her bail for the fourth consecutive time.
Sheriff appeared today for her fourth court date at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1. Her defence team submitted a fresh bail application citing multiple grounds for release, but the prosecution strongly opposed it, and the magistrate ruled in the state’s favour. The matter has now been adjourned to March 18, 2026.
The 40-year-old CEO of Zed Zee Media Enterprise and prominent All People’s Congress (APC) aspirant faces two counts: incitement and threatening (or abusive) language contrary to Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act 1965.
Prosecutors allege the charges arise from a speech she delivered at an APC opposition rally at Atouga Mini Stadium on January 31, 2026.
According to court documents, Sheriff reportedly stated that individuals accused of election malpractice and “cheating eight million people” should not go free — remarks the state claims were capable of inciting violence or public disorder.
The case timeline is as follows: Police issued a wanted notice under warrant W/A 105/2026 shortly after the rally. Sheriff was arrested and held for 72 hours at the Criminal Investigations Department before being formally charged on February 23. She pleaded not guilty at her first appearance but was immediately remanded. Three subsequent bail applications have also been rejected.
Notably, the APC itself was fined by the Political Parties Registration Commission over the same rally remarks and paid the penalty, yet criminal proceedings against Sheriff continued independently.
This is the second case stemming from the January 31 rally to reach the same magistrate on near-identical charges.
A well-known cultural icon, actress, philanthropist, and women’s empowerment advocate, Sheriff has built a national profile through entertainment and media before entering active politics. Supporters, including the 50/50 Group, have described the repeated bail denials as unprecedented and called for her immediate release, arguing that the Criminal Procedure Act 2024 makes bail the default for offences of this nature unless the prosecution proves compelling reasons through affidavit evidence.
The developments have heightened public tension and sparked wider debate about freedom of speech, the presumption of innocence, and the participation of women in Sierra Leonean politics. Critics view the case as part of a pattern of using the justice system to silence opposition voices, while the state maintains the charges are necessary to prevent public disorder.
Sheriff remains in custody pending the March 18 hearing.
