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The National Secretary General of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya Esq., is to appear in court today Monday 16th February, 2026 as proceedings continue in a matter that has attracted widespread public attention.
The APC scribe was remanded in custody at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road following his last court appearance and remains in detention pending today’s hearing.
The case, titled: The Inspector General of Police v. Lansana Dumbuya, was first heard on Thursday, 12 February 2026, before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown. During that sitting, the Court Registrar read three counts against the accused: incitement, insulting language and behaving in an insulting manner.
The charges are said to stem from statements allegedly made by Lansana Dumbuya at a political rally on 31 January 2026, during which he reportedly accused President Julius Maada Bio of “stealing” the 2023 elections. The prosecution contends that the remarks amounted to incitement and public insult directed at the President and were capable of disturbing public order.
Lansana Dumbuya, who appeared in person, was represented by a legal team led by Sulaiman Kabba Koroma Esq., while the prosecution was led by Y.I. Sesay Esq. and A.B.N. Taylor-Kamara Esq. on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. Upon arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Following the plea, lead Prosecutor Y.I. Sesay applied for an adjournment, informing the court that he had received instructions on the day of the hearing to take over conduct of the matter and required time to prepare his witnesses. He further indicated that an Affidavit in Opposition had been served on the defence.
In response, Defence Counsel Sulaiman Kabba Koroma applied for bail, arguing that the prosecution’s request for an adjournment demonstrated unreadiness to proceed. He submitted that bail forms part of constitutional safeguards in non-capital offences and relied on Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024. Counsel maintained that the accused was not a flight risk, had no capacity to interfere with witnesses and was facing offences of limited gravity.
The defence also cited Sections 23(4) and 25 of the 1991 Constitution, which guarantee the presumption of innocence and freedom of expression. Counsel informed the court that a Press Release dated 4 February 2026, signed by Lansana Dumbuya in his capacity as APC Secretary General, denied any intent to incite public disorder. He further argued that no public disorder followed the alleged statements and that no arrests were made in connection with the remarks.
In his ruling, Magistrate Brima Jah stated that the matter involved criminal allegations and was at a crucial stage, noting that the court had yet to hear evidence from the prosecution and its witnesses. He therefore refused bail at that stage. Lansana Dumbuya was subsequently remanded in custody, where he remains pending today’s proceedings.
The case is unfolding alongside related administrative action by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), which recently fined the APC NLe 350,000 for breaches of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022 arising from statements allegedly made by party officials. Although the party was briefly suspended for failure to meet the payment deadline, the suspension was lifted after the fine was settled.
With Lansana Dumbuya set to appear in court today, political observers and members of the public are closely watching the proceedings as the matter continues before Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown.
