Presidential Adviser on Gender Affairs, Madam Isata Jabbie Kabba, has publicly addressed the ongoing detention of opposition activist Zainab Sheriff, condemning the statements that led to her arrest while revealing that behind-the-scenes efforts are underway to appeal for her release.

Sheriff, a 40-year-old model, musician, and flagbearer aspirant of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), remains in custody at the Female Correctional Facility at Pademba Road Prison after being denied bail four times since her arrest on February 20, 2026 .

Sheriff was declared wanted by Sierra Leone Police on February 13 following remarks she allegedly made on January 31 at an APC gathering at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown . Authorities charged her with incitement and threatening language under Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965.

At the rally, Sheriff is alleged to have stated that individuals who rig elections should be killed because such acts constitute treason, and reportedly referred to the president as “a rigger” . She later reiterated these statements during an interview on Liberty TV.

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Following an intensive police search, officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested Sheriff outside the Royal Fitness Gym and Lor Restaurant in Freetown. She made her first court appearance on February 23 before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1, where she pleaded not guilty but was immediately remanded .

Subsequent bail applications on February 26, March 5, and March 11 were all rejected by the magistrate . At her most recent appearance, the prosecution closed its case after presenting two witnesses and forensic evidence, including a video of the alleged remarks examined by the CID’s cyber laboratory . The case has been adjourned to March 18 for the defense to open its case .

Sheriff’s continued detention has drawn attention because of similar remarks made at the same political gathering by APC Secretary-General Lansana Dumbuya. While Dumbuya was also arrested and charged, he was granted bail just five days after his first court appearance. Sheriff, facing comparable allegations, has now been in custody for nearly a month.

The 50/50 Group, an organization advocating for women’s political participation, has called on the judiciary to grant Sheriff bail, noting that the law generally presumes bail for offences that do not involve serious crimes such as murder or treason. The group warned that prolonged detention of a woman political figure could undermine public confidence in the justice system and discourage women’s participation in politics.

Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has also publicly criticized the detention, stating on her Facebook page that “freedom of speech must be applicable to everyone and the law must be consistently applied. Zainab O Sheriff’s continued detention is a serious cause for concern in a democracy”.

Speaking on the matter, Madam Isata Jabbie Kabba condemned the statement that led to Sheriff’s arrest, noting that the country has moved beyond such rhetoric.

However, she informed the public that efforts are ongoing behind the scenes to appeal for her release, suggesting that diplomatic approaches may complement the judicial process.

In her broader remarks, Madam Kabba outlined significant progress made in women’s empowerment under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s administration. She highlighted increased female participation in governance, noting that Parliament now has an unprecedented 41 women representatives, while Cabinet includes 28 women.

She also emphasized strategic roles held by women in key national institutions, including the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority.

Madam Kabba commended President Bio for fulfilling his promise of a 30% quota for women through the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act, as well as the establishment of the Presidential Task Force on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

She noted that the GEWE Act has significantly empowered women, while the Task Force continues to work assiduously to address sexual and gender-based violence across the country. She called on citizens to play their part in the fight against such violence and to avoid compromise.