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Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has issued a strong condemnation regarding the detention of All People’s Congress (APC) National Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya, describing the decision to deny him bail as “deeply troubling.”
Dumbuya was remanded to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, by Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah on charges of incitement and public order offenses.
In a public statement released shortly after the court ruling, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr argued that the detention appears politically motivated, noting that the APC had already settled regulatory fines related to the same incident.
The charges stem from comments Dumbuya made during a political gathering at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium on January 31, 2026. Prosecutors allege he encouraged supporters to chant insults at President Julius Maada Bio.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr contended that the continued pursuit of Dumbuya is excessive, given that the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) had already levied a fine against the party for those specific remarks—a fine the APC paid just prior to the court hearing.
“The APC Party has already paid a fine levied by the PPRC in respect of that statement,” Aki-Sawyerr wrote. “The decision to charge Lansana Dumbuya and to then deny him bail, is deeply troubling. Lansana Dumbuya is not a flight risk.”
The Mayor further questioned the timing of the detention, linking it to upcoming internal party activities and national electoral reform consultations.
“His detention on the eve of APC’s lower level elections is not a coincidence,” she stated. “His detention at the same time as the 3 day consultation in respect of the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner contrary to the provisions of the Tripartite recommendations, is not a coincidence.”
She called for state institutions to serve all citizens equally, asserting that “freedom of speech should not be selective.”
During the court appearance on Wednesday, Magistrate Jah denied bail after State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay argued that the defendant posed a risk of repeating the offense, citing the “public order” nature of the charges.
Dumbuya pleaded not guilty to three counts, including incitement and behaving in an insulting manner. The specific allegation involves encouraging supporters to refer to the President as “Maada Bio Tiffy Tiffy Jankoliko” (a thief).
Coinciding with the court case, the PPRC confirmed on February 12 that it had lifted a suspension on the APC after the party paid a NLe 350,000 fine for the January 31 comments. The Commission stated that the payment restored the party to “full operational status.”
Dumbuya remains in custody with the case adjourned until February 16, 2026.
