State V. Zainab Sheriff: Prosecution Concludes Case Amidst Challenges To Digital Evidence

State V. Zainab Sheriff: Prosecution Concludes Case Amidst Challenges To Digital Evidence

The prosecution has formally closed its case in the criminal proceedings against Zainab Sheriff, following the testimony of its final witness. Sheriff, a prominent political figure and model, remains in custody after the court denied her latest application for bail.

The defendant faces charges of incitement and the use of threatening language, pursuant to Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965. The allegations stem from an address delivered on January 31, 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium, where she is accused of inciting violence against officials involved in the electoral process.

During the hearing on March 11, 2026, the prosecution called Sorie Kamara, a cyber systems analyst with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as its final witness. Kamara provided expert testimony regarding the forensic examination of digital evidence, including a video file recovered from an iPhone 15 Pro Max. He detailed the protocols used to ensure data integrity, including the creation of forensic images and the transcription of the footage.

Defense counsel Roland Wright challenged the admissibility of the digital evidence, citing the absence of a formal digital receipt or a documented chain of custody. Despite these objections, the court permitted the evidence to be tendered. Under cross-examination, Kamara admitted that while he performed the technical analysis, he was not personally incited by the content of the video.

Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the defense renewed its application for bail. Co-counsel Basita Michaels informed the court of the defendant’s regrets regarding the statements made, arguing that her release would not prejudice the administration of justice. However, Lead Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay successfully opposed the motion, citing the gravity of the charges and characterizing the defendant as a flight risk.

Magistrate Mustangs Braima Jah ordered that the defendant remain remanded in custody. The matter has been adjourned to March 18, 2026, at which time the defense is expected to present its case or file a no-case submission.