The trial of the Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), who faces charges of incitement and insulting language, continued today with the testimony of a Cyber Crime Unit officer at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. This marks the third appearance of the accused before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah.

During the proceedings, Detective Police Constable 13105 Abdulai Dumbuya, a member of the Cyber Crime Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, was called as the first prosecution witness. Dumbuya testified that his primary role is to monitor cyberspace and investigate cyber-related offences.

He explained that on 31st January 2026, while conducting routine monitoring of social media platforms, his unit discovered a video containing statements allegedly made by the accused that prompted an investigation.

The video was retrieved, downloaded, and secured for further analysis. Dumbuya explained that a report from the Regional Commander for Freetown East, Francis Tommy, about activities at Atugar Stadium on 1st February 2026, led to the opening of a formal investigation file. The report was submitted as Exhibit A in court.

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On 2nd February 2026, the accused was invited by telephone for questioning but did not report. The following day, a request was made for a forensic examination of the pen drive containing the video, and the resulting analysis was presented as Exhibit B. Dumbuya further testified that on 4th February 2026, the accused appeared at CID Headquarters, accompanied by his legal team, including lawyer Africanus Sorie Sesay.

During the interview, the accused provided a written statement, dated 4th February 2026, acknowledging his identity in the video and the accuracy of its contents.

The statement was signed by the accused and tendered as Exhibit C. Dumbuya stated that the video was shown to the accused multiple times, and he confirmed that the statements made in the footage were his own. The accused was cautioned and questioned in English, with his legal team present.

Dumbuya also confirmed that the Cyber Crime Unit received a forensic report from a Cyber Analyst on 5th February 2026, which was also entered as evidence.

The accused was formally charged with incitement, insulting language, and behaving in an insulting manner on 12th February 2026. Dumbuya stated that the accused was again questioned, and after the statement was read aloud to him, he confirmed it to be correct and signed it.

Under cross-examination, defence lawyer S.K. Koroma questioned Dumbuya on the presence of the Inspector General of Police during the statement-taking process, to which the witness confirmed that no statement was obtained in the Inspector General’s presence but clarified that a report was received and the accused was properly cautioned and questioned.

Koroma also asked Dumbuya about the alleged complainant in the case. The witness confirmed that the complaint stemmed from the Regional Commander, Francis Tommy, who claimed to be offended by the remarks.

However, Dumbuya admitted that he did not directly interview Tommy or any members of the public to investigate the impact of the alleged incitement. He further acknowledged that he was unaware of any public disturbances resulting from the statement but maintained that the accused’s words had the potential to incite unrest.

The accused’s remarks, which were allegedly directed at President Julius Maada Bio, were discussed in court, with Dumbuya confirming that Tommy found the language offensive.

However, when asked whether he had informed the President about the comments or interviewed Tommy about how the remarks affected him personally, Dumbuya stated he could not recall.

The case was adjourned to 5th March 2026, with the accused continuing on bail as the trial moves forward.