By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone – March 11, 2026: Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 has once again denied bail to entertainer and activist Zainab Sheriff, marking the fourth refusal since her arraignment on charges of incitement and threatening language under Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act 1965.
Sheriff is accused of making inciting remarks at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium on January 31, 2026, allegedly encouraging violence against individuals accused of rigging election.
The prosecution, led by State Counsels Yusuf Isaac Sesay and A.N.B. Kamara Taylor, closed its case after presenting two witnesses and several exhibits. Cyber analyst Ibrahim Sorie Kamara testified that forensic examinations of a pen drive and an iPhone 15 Pro Max linked to Sheriff contained videos of the alleged statements. Screenshots and a transcription of the video were tendered in court as evidence.
Defense counsel objected to the admissibility of the evidence, arguing it was prejudicial and irrelevant. However, Magistrate Jah dismissed the objection and admitted the photographs and video into evidence.
Defense lawyer Basita Michael made a fresh bail application, stressing that Sheriff was not a flight risk and had expressed regret over her remarks. She assured the court that the accused would refrain from political statements during the trial.
The prosecution opposed the application, citing Sheriff’s previous failure to appear in court and her arrest on a warrant. They argued that granting bail could undermine proceedings and risk further offences.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jah upheld the prosecution’s concerns, refusing bail and adjourning the matter to March 18, 2026, for the defense to open its case.