The National Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya Esq., has been released from police custody following hours of questioning at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Freetown.

Mr. Dumbuya was earlier invited to the CID in connection with remarks made during a large APC gathering at the Attuga Mini Stadium, where political chants directed at President Julius Maada Bio were raised. The incident sparked public debate and drew the attention of law enforcement authorities.

He reported to the CID on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, accompanied by senior officials of the opposition party, to respond to questions relating to statements made at the meeting. After an initial period of engagement with investigators, police declined to grant him immediate bail, resulting in his temporary detention overnight at the CID headquarters.

His subsequent release has attracted wide public attention, with political stakeholders closely monitoring the situation amid broader discussions about freedom of expression, political tolerance, and public order in Sierra Leone.

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The APC leadership has consistently maintained that the remarks made during the rally fall within the scope of political expression protected in a democratic society. As of the time of his release, the Sierra Leone Police had not announced any formal charges against Mr. Dumbuya.

The matter continues to generate debate across political and civil society circles, with calls for restraint, dialogue, and adherence to due process as the country navigates sensitive questions surrounding political speech and democratic engagement.