By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Secretary General of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC), Lansana Dumbuya Esq., has pleaded not guilty to three criminal charges, even as the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) officially lifted a brief suspension imposed on the party following payment of fines.
Lansana Dumbuya made his first court appearance on Thursday, 12 February 2026, before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Court No. 1 on Pademba Road in Freetown. He is facing three counts filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), including incitement, insulting conduct and public insult against the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
According to the prosecution, the charges stem from statements allegedly made by the APC National Secretary General which were deemed offensive and capable of inciting public disorder. The state maintains that such remarks contravene provisions of the law relating to incitement and conduct likely to disturb public peace.
However, the defence team argued that the statements attributed to Lansana Dumbuya fall within the ambit of lawful political expression and democratic engagement. Defence lawyers contended that in a constitutional democracy, political actors must be allowed to express dissenting views, emphasizing the protection of freedom of speech under the law.
After the charges were read in court, Lansana Dumbuya pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
However, Magistrate Brima Jah denied bail following preliminary submissions and ordered that the accused be remanded pending further proceedings. While detailed reasons for the denial were not immediately provided in open court, the matter has been adjourned to 16 February 2026 for hearing.
The case has generated considerable public and political attention, particularly given the prevailing political climate in the country.
Meanwhile, in a separate but related development affecting the APC, the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) on the same day announced the lifting of a suspension earlier imposed on the party.
In a letter dated 12 February 2026 and addressed to the APC National Secretary General at the party’s headquarters at 11A Old Railway Line, Brookfields, Freetown, the Commission confirmed that it had reviewed the circumstances surrounding the suspension imposed on 11 February 2026.
The letter, signed by the Executive Secretary of the PPRC, Olushogo A. David, stated that the decision to lift the suspension followed the party’s compliance with the payment of fines earlier imposed by the Commission.
“I am directed by the Commission to refer to the suspension imposed on the All People’s Congress (APC) Party on 11th February, 2026 and to inform you that the Commission has reviewed the circumstances relating to the said suspension,” the correspondence noted.
It further stated that “following the Party’s compliance with the payment of the fines imposed, the Commission is pleased to notify your Party that the suspension is hereby lifted with immediate effect.”
The lifting of the suspension restores the APC to full operational status under the Political Parties Act (No. 25) of 2022, allowing it to resume meetings, conduct internal elections, and carry out other administrative and political activities within the framework of the law.
The PPRC urged the party to continue upholding the provisions of the Political Parties Act and to maintain full compliance with all directives and obligations required of registered political parties in Sierra Leone.
Although the Commission’s letter did not detail the specific violations that led to the fines, the action underscores its regulatory mandate to ensure that political parties operate in accordance with national laws.
With the APC’s National Secretary General currently facing criminal proceedings and the party’s suspension now lifted, political observers say the coming days will be critical for both the party’s internal cohesion and its broader political engagement.
The court hearing scheduled for 16 February 2026 is expected to determine the next phase of the legal process, as stakeholders across the political spectrum continue to monitor developments closely.
