Post a comment 
The High Court of Sierra Leone has directed the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party to conduct delegate elections across all districts within 21 days. while extending its interim ruling restraining the current national executives from referring to themselves as the party’s national officials.
Justice Adrian J. Fisher of High Court No. 1 delivered the ruling today after hearing submissions from both sides in the matter.
The Judge said the plaintiff argued that the tenure of the party’s current executive had expired and that, under the APC Constitution, the officials no longer had the legal authority to continue managing the party’s affairs.
The court noted that these issues would be fully determined when the substantive matter comes up for hearing.
Despite restraining the former National Chairman and Secretary-General from holding themselves out as national officials, the court made exceptions to ensure that the party’s operations do not come to a halt.
Justice Fisher ruled that the two officials may continue providing administrative support to the party secretariat since they are the signatories to the party’s bank accounts. He explained that this arrangement was necessary to ensure the continuity of the party’s day-to-day activities.
During the proceedings, counsel for the defendants informed the court that the 21-day period would not be sufficient to complete the delegate elections nationwide. They argued that the party’s electoral process requires the publication of a list of eligible voters, during which members are given time to submit comments, objections, and petitions before elections can be conducted.
In response, Justice Fisher stated that the APC may apply to the court for an extension of the 21 days if it can provide reasonable grounds for the request.
The judge emphasised that any application for additional time would have to be supported by sufficient justification.
The matter has been adjourned to 19 October 2026, when the court will begin hearing the substantive case.
