Bail Denied for Politician Zainab Sheriff on Incitement Charges

Bail Denied for Politician Zainab Sheriff on Incitement Charges

Zainab Sheriff, a prominent model and an All People’s Congress (APC) aspirant, was denied bail following her arraignment on charges of incitement and threatening language. The charges are connected to provocative statements she allegedly made at a recent political rally.

Ms. Sheriff, who is seeking the APC flagbearer position, appeared before Magistrate Briama Jah to face serious allegations under the Public Order Act of 1965. She was formally charged with two counts: incitement contrary to law and threatening language, specifically citing Section 30(1) of the Act. The charges stem from an incident on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown, where police claim she delivered remarks intended to incite violence.

The prosecution submitted police reports alleging that Ms. Sheriff encouraged violence against individuals accused of electoral malpractice, stating:

"Clearly election don don and you nor get more money than me, you rogue election and cheat a whole eight million people dem and kill people dem and send dem go jail, we go snd message say nobody nor go cheat an entire eight million people and proudly go free."

The state prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, argued that her statements posed a significant risk to public order, particularly within the current volatile political environment leading up to the elections. The matter was initially adjourned after the prosecutor requested additional time to review the case file and prepare witnesses.

Defense counsel M. M. Bah promptly sought bail for Ms. Sheriff, asserting that the offenses were bailable. He highlighted her deep ties to Sierra Leone, stable residential status, and her role as a mother of two as mitigating factors. Counsel further argued she was not a flight risk, citing her documented public activities as evidence of her willingness to comply with court proceedings. The defense referenced Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, which generally favors the granting of bail unless the prosecution can demonstrate compelling grounds for denial.

However, Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah ultimately refused bail, stating, "I first want to hear the evidence of witnesses before making a decision on bail."

The case is scheduled to continue on February 26, 2026, as the court prepares to hear evidence in what is widely regarded as a high-profile political case.