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A courtroom observer, Ibrahim Sorie, on Monday, February 16, 2026, strongly criticized the handling of a case involving Lansana Dumbuya, the National Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), describing the proceedings as “extremely troubling” and “deeply concerning for the future of our democracy.”
Dumbuya was brought before the magistrate’s court to answer to public order offences pursuant to the Public Order Act 1965, as well as what were described as inchoate allegations. However, according to the eyewitness who spoke shortly after the proceedings, the matter did not proceed as expected.
The witness alleged that the presiding magistrate left the courtroom without notice or explanation before the case was called. “Instead of the magistrate actively presiding over the matter or taking immediate steps to address the case, the magistrate unceremoniously left the courtroom without any notice or explanation,” the witness said. The observer further claimed that the court adjourned the matter without indicating when it would resume, leaving the case “hanging indefinitely.”
The eyewitness described the development as a delay of justice and questioned the judiciary’s commitment to fairness and transparency. “This act of adjourning a case without a clear schedule not only delays justice but also raises questions about the commitment of the judiciary to fairness and transparency,” the witness stated.
Citing Section 23(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991, which provides that every person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty or until a guilty plea is entered, the observer argued that the events in court undermined fundamental legal principles. “By neglecting to proceed with the matter and leaving it unresolved without due process, the court trampled on this fundamental principle,” the witness said.
The observer also expressed concern that the conduct displayed by some court officials reflected what was described as a “bullying attitude” that undermines public confidence in the judiciary. According to the witness, the incident signaled what they called “a possible influence of extraneous factors or a failure of court officials to conduct their duties with impartiality.”
“What transpired in the magistrate’s court today is, frankly speaking, a tragic reflection of what could be described as the funeral services of our democracy and the legal profession,” the witness added, warning that continued actions of this nature risk eroding public trust in the legal system and democratic governance.
As of press time, no official statement had been issued by the court regarding the adjournment. Efforts to obtain comment from judicial authorities were ongoing. The case involving Dumbuya remains pending, with a new hearing date yet to be publicly announced.
