FREETOWN, December 17, 2025 – Concerns are mounting over the health of Brima Conteh, popularly known as Mubaza, an Electoral Justice Advocate and member of the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC), who remains on remand at the Pademba Road Correctional Center despite repeated bail applications on medical grounds.
Conteh was arrested on November 10, 2025 in Magburaka after a video circulated on social media in which he alleged that former U.S. military officers were in Sierra Leone monitoring the movements of President Julius Maada Bio. He faces a single count of incitement contrary to law at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1, presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Brima-Jah.
Lead defense counsel Abdul Malik Bangura Esq. told reporters after Wednesday’s adjournment that his client is critically ill and may die in custody if not granted bail for specialist treatment.
A medical report dated December 1, 2025 from the Sierra Leone Police Medical Services confirmed that Conteh suffers from malignant hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and pansinusitis, conditions requiring urgent cardiology review and regular professional health checks.
“Our client is critically ill in detention. If swift action is not taken, he may die in custody,” Bangura warned.
Despite multiple applications, bail has consistently been denied. Conteh has been in custody for over a month without access to specialist medical care.
Allegations of Political Interference
Bangura noted that incitement is a bailable offence under Sierra Leonean law.
Bangura added that Conteh had been sick throughout the police investigation stage, spending two weeks at the police hospital in Kingtom before being transferred to Pademba Road, where his condition worsened.
Lack of Support from Party Leadership
The lawyer also criticized the APC leadership and the Electoral Justice Movement for neglecting Conteh’s welfare.
“Because of his diagnosed heart condition, he needs the support of everyone. If bail is not granted for specialist treatment, I fear he may die in custody of heart complications, which will not be good for the justice sector of Sierra Leone,” Bangura said.
Case Status
The matter has been adjourned to Friday, December 19, 2025.