The trial of All People’s Congress (APC) Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, who is facing charges of incitement and the use of insulting language, continued in court with witness testimonies and the presentation of digital evidence. The defense has indicated plans to file a no-case submission.
During the hearing, prosecutors played a 45-second video in open court which they allege contains statements directed at President Julius Maada Bio. The footage formed a key part of the prosecution’s case.
The prosecution’s second witness, Detective Sergeant Sahr Foday Lebbie of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), testified that on February 3, 2026, he received a pendrive containing video files related to the matter.
He told the court that he inspected the device and confirmed it was functional before analyzing its contents using FTK Manager forensic tools to determine whether the files had been altered. According to him, the analysis indicated that the videos had not been manipulated.
Sergeant Lebbie said he subsequently extracted screenshots and video clips from the files, which were preserved and submitted as evidence.
He further informed the court that he later examined a mobile phone provided by Inspector Kabba Lavalie. The phone was found to be operational, and he retrieved the registered phone number 078159434, which he said is associated with the accused, Dumbuya.
However, the witness clarified that the phone did not produce any additional evidence relevant to the case. His forensic report, dated February 5, 2026, included a transcript of the video introduced by the prosecution.
According to the transcript, the accused allegedly urged supporters to chant slogans directed at the President, including the phrase: “Maada Bio tiffy the election, Maada Bio tiffy-tiffy Jankoleeco.”
The video played in court reportedly shows Dumbuya standing on a stage at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium, encouraging supporters to sing the chant while members of the crowd repeated the slogans.
Under cross-examination, Sergeant Lebbie acknowledged that Dumbuya was not present when the video was created or when the evidence was extracted. He also confirmed that the footage was not obtained from the accused’s personal device.
The witness further testified that no arrests had been made in connection with the distribution of the video and that there was no evidence linking Dumbuya to the production of the recording beyond his appearance in the footage.
The court also heard from Assistant Superintendent of Police Francis Momodu Tommy, a Regional Operations Officer, who testified about what he personally observed during the rally.
Officer Tommy told the court that he saw Dumbuya on stage leading supporters in chanting: “Maada Bio tiffy the election, Maada Bio tiffy-tiffy Jankoleeco.” He said he considered the remarks offensive because they were directed at the President.
Despite the chants, the officer confirmed that the event remained peaceful and that no arrests were made at the scene. His official report documenting the incident was tendered in court as Exhibit A.
Following the presentation of the prosecution’s evidence, defense lawyers requested an adjournment to prepare a no-case submission, indicating their intention to challenge whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence for the trial to proceed.
The matter was adjourned to March 19, 2026.









