By: Audrey Raymonda John
The alleged incitement case involving Zainab Sheriff, Sierra Leonean politician has been adjourned by Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1, who also denied a renewed bail application filed by the defence.
Sheriff made her third court appearance, facing charges of incitement and threatening language contrary to Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965.
The prosecution, led by Yusuf Isaac Sesay, alleged that on January 31, 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in the Freetown Judicial District, the accused made statements inciting violence against individuals accused of rigging elections and “cheating eight million people.”
The first prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable Sheku Turay (13164), attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, testified that he recognized the accused in the dock. He explained that his duties include investigating cyber offences.
Turay stated that while monitoring cyberspace on January 31, 2026, officers discovered a video allegedly made by the accused on Facebook pages identified as “Born 2 Blog” and “Liberty TV.” The video was downloaded by cybercrime personnel on duty and transferred to a pen drive, after which it was opened for investigation.
He further explained that on February 1, 2026, the case file containing the pen drive and screenshots of the video was assigned to him and registered at the exhibit office. Several attempts were made to contact the accused via telephone and WhatsApp through senior officers, but the number provided was unreachable. Detectives later visited her reported residence at Ndeoka Drive, Freetown, but were informed by neighbors that she had relocated.
On February 3, 2026, a warrant of arrest was obtained and approved by the court. The accused was subsequently declared wanted in a public notice issued on February 20, 2026. Turay stated that intelligence later led officers to a location along Main Goderich Road in Juba, where the accused was arrested. He testified that the warrant was read to her, and she requested to contact her lawyer before proceeding. An iPhone 15 Pro Max was retrieved from her and sent for forensic analysis.
The witness added that during investigations, the pen drive was played in the presence of the accused, who allegedly admitted being the person in the video. She also made statements in both Krio and English in the presence of her lawyers, which she affirmed as true and correct.
During cross-examination, lead defence counsel Roland Wright noted that no individual had personally lodged a complaint against the accused apart from official authorities. The witness also confirmed that the name “Foday Sankoh” was mentioned in the video.
Renewing his bail application, Wright argued that the accused is not a flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses. He highlighted Sheriff’s contributions to national development and women’s empowerment, emphasizing her continued commitment to the country.
However, Magistrate Jah refused bail and adjourned the matter to March 11, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.