By Julian Kamara
Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, was remanded to Pademba Road Prison on Wednesday after a magistrate denied him bail on charges including incitement and public insult against President Julius Maada Bio.
Dumbuya appeared before Magistrate Brima Jah on three counts of incitement, insulting conduct and public insult, allegedly linked to remarks he made at an APC gathering.
The court denied bail at his first appearance and adjourned the case to Feb. 16.
The charges follow a separate administrative penalty in which the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) imposed a fine of 350,000 leones ($15) over the same remarks, according to party officials.
The APC has not issued a formal statement on the court proceedings, but party sources said Dumbuya has delegated his responsibilities to the party’s Organising Secretary pending the outcome of the case.
The remand of a senior opposition figure comes amid heightened political tensions in the West African nation, where disputes between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the APC have intensified in recent months.
There was no immediate comment from the presidency.
