The High Court of Sierra Leone has issued an interim injunction restraining senior officials of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) from exercising key executive functions, prompting the suspension of the party’s internal election complaint proceedings.
The order restrains Osman Foday Yansaneh and Lansana Dumbuya from presenting themselves as executive members of the APC or performing functions assigned to the party’s National Chairman and Leader and National Secretary General, respectively.
Honourable Justice Adrian Fisher reportedly issued the order following an ex parte application heard in the Judge’s Chambers on Thursday, 27 August 2026.
Under the terms of the injunction, the two officials are temporarily prohibited from convening or presiding over executive meetings, managing the affairs of the APC and undertaking duties connected to the day-to-day administration of the party pending hearing on Monday 31s August 2026.
They are also restrained from carrying out activities associated with the offices of National Chairman and Leader and National Secretary General until the application is heard and determined or the court issues another order.
The High Court warned that failure to comply with the injunction could constitute contempt of court. Anyone found to have breached the order could face sanctions, including imprisonment, a fine or the seizure of assets.
The interim ruling has already affected activities undertaken by other structures within the APC, including the Independent Elections Complaint Board (IECB).
In a public notice dated Friday, 28 August 2026, the IECB announced the immediate suspension of all its activities until further notice. The decision includes the postponement of hearings relating to Ward Rerun Election Petitions, which had been scheduled for Saturday, 29 August 2026, in Freetown.
The notice, signed by IECB Secretary, Osman Soura Kamara Esq., informed petitioners, party members and other interested parties that the suspension followed the ruling delivered by Justice Fisher.
“By reason of the ruling of the Honourable Justice A. Fisher dated 27th August 2026, the Board hereby informs all petitioners and the general membership that all activities relating to the APC Independent Elections Complaint Board are suspended until further notice,” the notice stated.
The Board did not provide detailed information about the substance of the legal dispute but confirmed that it would not continue with any election-related complaint proceedings while the court order remains in effect.
The IECB acknowledged that the sudden postponement could inconvenience petitioners and other interested parties, particularly those who had already made arrangements to travel to Freetown for the scheduled hearings.
It apologized to those affected and appealed for patience and cooperation while awaiting further instructions on how to proceed. No new date has been announced for the suspended Ward Rerun Election Petition hearings.
The development comes amid ongoing internal electoral activities and disputes within the APC. The IECB is responsible for considering grievances and petitions arising from the party’s internal election processes.
Reacting to the development, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Mohamed Pope Kamara confirmed that an interim injunctive order had been issued and said the matter remains before the court.
According to Mohamed Pope Kamara, the order temporarily restricts the National Chairman, National Secretary General and other affected party structures from performing certain functions pending the next stage of the proceedings on Monday 31s August 2026.
He urged APC members and supporters to remain calm, exercise restraint and respect the judicial process as the party awaits the outcome of the case.
“It is imperative to underscore that the same matter is before the court pending ruling,” Mohamed Pope Kamara said.
He expressed confidence that the dispute would be addressed in accordance with the APC Constitution and the rule of law, maintaining that the party had previously overcome similar internal challenges.
“All party loyalists and members are strongly advised to maintain utmost calm, restraint and decorum,” he added.
Mohamed Pope Kamara described the development as neither strange nor unprecedented in the history of the APC. He said the party remains confident that constitutional procedures would ultimately prevail over personal interests and internal disagreements.
The interim injunction does not represent a final determination of the substantive dispute. It is a temporary measure intended to preserve the existing situation until the court hears the parties and determines the application or issues further directions.
APC members, petitioners and other stakeholders are now awaiting clarification from the court and the party’s leadership regarding the future of the suspended IECB proceedings and other affected executive activities.
