By: Audrey Raymonda John
Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on Thursday, 10 September 2026, granted defence counsel Africanus Sesay one week to file a no-case submission in the long-running criminal matter involving Lansana Dumbuya, former National Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC).
The order followed an application by defence counsel Africanus Sesay for an adjournment, after he apologized to the court for the absence of the accused, Lansana Dumbuya, on the previous adjourned date.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay said the prosecution would not oppose the application for an adjournment but stressed the need for the matter to proceed without further delay.
“There must be an end to litigation,” State Counsel Sesay told the court.
In his response, Magistrate Jah expressed concern over the length of time the matter had remained before his court and urged the defence to make progress with the case.
The Magistrate accordingly adjourned the matter to 17 September 2026 for the defence to file and submit its no-case submission.
Magistrate Jah warned that if the defence failed to proceed on the next date, he would put the accused to his election and proceed to determine the matter on its merits.
“This matter has taken quite a long time in my court,” Magistrate Jah stated, adding that he would not allow further unnecessary delays.
He further emphasized the principle that “justice delayed is justice denied” and said he wanted the matter concluded as soon as possible.
Dumbuya is facing three counts, including 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.
According to the prosecution, on 31 January 2026, during a public address at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium, Dumbuya made statements allegedly encouraging supporters to refer to President Julius Maada Bio as a “thief.”
The second count related to allege insulting language directed at Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francis Momodu Tommy, while the third alleges that Dumbuya encouraged supporters to chant derogatory remarks against President Bio.
The matter was adjourned to 17 September 2026.