By Alfred Williams
FREETOWN, Feb 16 (– 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 had assembled to represent Dumbuya in what defence counsel described as a voluntary show of solidarity. Lead lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara said 105 lawyers 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 team accepted the directive and selected 15 representatives.
However, the proceedings were disrupted after disagreements over courtroom arrangements. According to defence lawyers, the magistrate initially left the courtroom without formally calling the matter, raising concern over the status of the case and the absence of an adjournment date.
In a separate account shared 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 is facing three counts, including incitement and related offences, according to court sources.
Speaking after the hearing, Kamara criticised the manner in which proceedings were handled.
“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 said the defence plans to file a petition to 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 avenues to challenge both the denial of bail and the conduct of proceedings.
The case 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.
Yansaneh announced that the APC’s highest decision-making body, the National Advisory Committee (NAC), will convene on Tuesday to determine what he described as the party’s next decisive step in response to the continued detention of its Secretary General.
He said elected party officials, including Members of Parliament, councillors and district chairpersons, have been invited to attend the meeting.
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 encouraged dialogue and institutional restraint.
Dumbuya remains in custody pending the next hearing scheduled for Feb. 19.
