Members of Parliament and senior officials from Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) on Thursday, February 5, 2026, staged a visit to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), demanding the release of their party’s Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, and warning that they will suspend all parliamentary activities if he remains in custody.

The APC delegation, which included sitting MPs and party executives, said they would halt their legislative duties until Dumbuya is released, a move that could effectively paralyze parliamentary business. The lawmakers described the arrest as politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition party.

Speaking to journalists during the visit, APC officials said the detention of the Secretary General comes at a time when the party is already under pressure, and warned that continued restrictions on freedom of speech could undermine democratic governance. They argued that targeting a key party official threatens the APC’s ability to operate as a political organization.

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“The arrest of our Secretary General is not an isolated incident,” one APC official said, adding that other party members are also in custody over similar allegations. Party representatives claimed that these actions form part of a broader pattern of intimidation against the APC under the current administration of President Julius Maada Bio.

According to APC officials, Dumbuya was detained and questioned by police at the CID on February 4, 2026. The police inquiry relates to political statements he made in defense of the APC’s position on the disputed 2023 general elections. Authorities reportedly considered the remarks grounds for an investigation, citing concerns about public order and legal compliance.

Dumbuya, through party sources, maintains that his statements were made in good faith and fall within the bounds of legitimate political expression. APC supporters insist that expressing opinions about elections and governance is a core function of political parties and should not attract criminal investigation.

Police authorities have not publicly detailed the specific charges but have said the questioning was necessary to ensure adherence to the law and to prevent actions that could disturb public peace. They have not confirmed when Dumbuya or the other detained APC members may be released.

During their visit to the CID, APC members also carried out what they described as a peaceful walk to Parliament, reinforcing their stance that the matter is a political dispute that should be resolved through dialogue rather than detention.

The APC delegation warned that if their demands are not met, they are prepared to maintain their boycott of parliamentary proceedings. “We are ready to pause all parliamentary duties until this issue is resolved,” an APC lawmaker said, emphasizing that the party would not resume legislative work while its Secretary General remains in detention.