A former military officer and senior member of the opposition All People’s Congress has been remanded in custody after being charged with incitement, in a case that has attracted national attention amid rising concerns over political tensions and the influence of social media in Sierra Leone.

Moriba, the Public Relations Officer of the APC in the Southern Province, appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Monday. He was formally charged with incitement contrary to law, following the circulation of a video allegedly calling for public unrest across the country

According to the prosecution, on December 27, 2025, in Kamalo Village within the Karina Judicial District of the Northeastern Province, Moriba produced an audio and video clip containing flammable content. The material was later posted on the TikTok account Salone Gossip Hub and is alleged to have been intended to incite mayhem, public disorder, chaos, and general unrest nationwide.

When the charge was read in court, Moriba did not enter a plea. The prosecution informed the court that the defense had been served with the case file, a position confirmed by the defense counsel, who requested time to study the materials.

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The lead defense counsel, M. A. Kamara Esq., applied for bail pursuant to 76(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024. He argued that the accused is a law-abiding citizen with reliable sureties and assured the court that Moriba would not abscond or interfere with witnesses.

However, after considering the bail application alongside the affidavit filed in opposition by the prosecution, Magistrate Fornah denied bail, ordering that the accused be remanded.

The Case has been adjourned to January 28, 2026, for further hearing. It is expected to test the balance between freedom of expression and public order, particularly within  Sierra Leone’s rapidly expanding digital media space.