By: Audrey Raymonda John
Lead defence counsel, Afrikanus Sorie Sesay Esq, representing Lansana Dumbuya, the Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), has successfully applied for an adjournment to enable the defence to present a no-case submission.
The accused, Lansana Dumbuya, a 54-year-old politician and lawyer, is standing trial before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
He is facing three charges: incitement contrary to law; insulting language contrary to Section 2 of the Public Order Act 1965; and behaving in an insulting manner contrary to Section 12(a) of the same Act, as amended by the Public Order (Amendment) Act 1973.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Saturday, 31st January 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium, the accused allegedly made statements encouraging supporters to chant that the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, was a thief.
The second count alleges that on the same date and at the same location, Dumbuya used insulting language to the annoyance of the Regional Operations Officer for Freetown East, Francis Momodu Tommy.
On the third count, the prosecution claims that the accused behaved in an insulting manner in a public place by encouraging supporters to repeat the same chant against the President.
Following the defence application for an adjournment to file a no-case submission, the prosecution raised no objection. In his ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that, having considered the application and noting the absence of opposition from the prosecution, the court would grant the request.
The matter was adjourned to 2nd April 2026 for further proceedings. The accused remains on bail.
Other members of the defence team include Marine Spain, Brima Koroma, Randy S. Bangura, and A. Madie.