Lansana “Mandela” Dumbuya Esq.
By Alfred Williams
A magistrate in Sierra Leone on Monday again denied bail to Lansana Dumbuya, Secretary General of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), and adjourned his case to Feb. 19 after chaotic scenes disrupted proceedings at the Pademba Road Court.
The hearing, which drew an unusually large presence of defence lawyers and party supporters, was temporarily stalled after Presiding Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah cited security concerns inside the courtroom.
More than 100 lawyers assembled at the court to represent Dumbuya in what defence counsel described as a voluntary show of solidarity. Lead lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara said 105 lawyers had offered to take part in the defence.
Magistrate Jah ruled that only 15 defence lawyers and two prosecutors would be permitted inside the courtroom. The defence complied and selected 15 representatives.
However, disagreements over courtroom arrangements disrupted proceedings. Defence lawyers said the magistrate initially left the courtroom without formally calling the matter, raising concerns about the status of the case and the absence of an adjournment date.
In a separate account carried by local media, Magistrate Jah said he felt insecure and threatened due to the large crowd in the courtroom and court premises, making it difficult to proceed.
Court officials later confirmed that bail was refused and the matter formally adjourned to Feb. 19. Dumbuya was returned to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre, where he remains in custody.
Dumbuya faces three counts, including incitement and related offences, according to court sources.
Speaking after the hearing, Kamara criticised the handling of proceedings.
“We have been here in court since 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and the matter was not called earlier. The accused had not initially been given the opportunity to hear the date of adjournment,” he said.
Kamara disclosed that the defence plans to file a petition before the Chief Justice, alleging procedural irregularities and what he described as disrespect toward members of the Bar.
He maintained that the legal team would pursue all available legal remedies to challenge both the denial of bail and the conduct of proceedings.
The continued detention of the APC Secretary General has intensified political tensions in Sierra Leone, where relations between the opposition and President Julius Maada Bio’s government remain strained following the disputed 2023 elections.
Acting APC Chairman Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh said the party had sought dialogue prior to the court developments. He disclosed that he contacted the Peace Commission and also sent text messages to President Bio but received no response.
In a formal notice issued Monday, the party announced an emergency meeting of its highest decision-making body, the National Advisory Committee (NAC).
According to the notice, issued pursuant to Section 21(c) of the APC Constitution (2022), the National Chairman has invited members to an emergency NAC meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the party’s headquarters in Freetown.
The invitation, signed by Chernor C.S. Kamara, National Organising Secretary (acting as National Secretary General), extends to all District Chairmen, heads of party organs, leadership of Parliament, mayors, chairpersons, members of the legal team and all flagbearer aspirants.
Yansaneh said the meeting would determine what he described as the party’s next decisive step in response to Dumbuya’s continued detention.
Analysts say the case is likely to deepen scrutiny of the judiciary’s handling of politically sensitive matters in the West African nation, where international partners have repeatedly encouraged dialogue, institutional restraint and political stability.
Dumbuya remains in custody pending the next hearing scheduled for Feb. 19.
