By Fatima Kpaka
FREETOWN – The ongoing trial of Yabu Zainab Sheriff took a decisive turn on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, as Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah adjourned the matter for judgment following final arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
Sheriff, facing charges of incitement and threatening language under Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act of 1965, made her fourth court appearance after the prosecution closed its case with two witnesses. The allegations stem from remarks she allegedly made at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown on January 31, 2026, encouraging violence against individuals accused of election rigging.
Lead prosecutor Yusuf Issac Sesay urged the court to convict Sheriff, arguing that the evidence presented sufficiently established her guilt. He dismissed the defense’s no-case submission, insisting that the magistrate was bound by the evidence before the court.
Defense counsel Roland Wright countered that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case, describing the charges as legally flawed and unsupported by credible evidence. He maintained that the no-case submission was properly grounded and accused the prosecution of misapplying Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
Tensions rose during proceedings when Magistrate Jah cautioned the defense against revisiting evidential matters already ruled upon. After a brief exchange, Wright requested an adjournment, which the magistrate granted in the interest of a speedy trial.
The court directed the defense to file its closing written address by April 10, 2026, while allowing the prosecution to submit additional authorities by the same date. Magistrate Jah emphasized that while submissions may be persuasive, the judgment would rest strictly on the evidence already before the court.
Sheriff was remanded in custody pending judgment, which is scheduled for April 14, 2026.