By Sallieu S. Kanu
Falaba District, Sierra Leone — November 17, 2025 Hon. Lahai Marah, District Chairman of the All People’s Congress (APC) in Falaba, was briefly detained by police on Sunday before being released without charge.
According to Marah, he was stopped at the final checkpoint from Kabala while en route to Makeni and taken into custody by the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Mongo Division, accompanied by four armed officers. He remained in detention for nearly five hours before his release.
“Through the intervention of the APC Party Leadership and Hon. Chericoco, I was released unconditionally after nearly five hours under police custody… Praise Allah am alive,” Marah said in a statement following his release.
Marah, a former Member of Parliament for Constituency 042, stepped down after the April 2023 elections to focus on his role as APC District Chairman. His arrest has drawn attention from party members and political observers, underscoring heightened political tensions in the district. Authorities have not provided further details on the reasons for his detention.
SLPP Response to Marah’s Remarks
The incident comes amid controversy over remarks allegedly made by Hon. Marah during a tripartite engagement at the Falaba District Council Hall.
Yayah Wan, District Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in Falaba, issued a strongly worded statement on November 15, condemning Marah’s comments.
Yayah accused Marah of making “reckless, inflammatory, and undemocratic” statements, including threats that his group would “resist the police and army” during the 2028 elections and claims of having “prepared machineries” for that contest.
“These statements are not only irresponsible — they are dangerous,” Yayah said. “They represent a direct threat to the peace and stability of Falaba District and Sierra Leone as a whole.”
The SLPP chairman reaffirmed his party’s commitment to peace, lawfulness, and democratic values, stressing that elections “are won through votes, not violence; through ideas, not intimidation.” He urged security agencies to take note of the alleged threats and called on all political leaders, including the APC, to respect the peace process.
Growing Political Tensions
The brief detention of Hon. Marah, coupled with the SLPP’s condemnation of his remarks, highlights the fragile political climate in Falaba District. With the 2028 elections on the horizon, both parties face mounting pressure to demonstrate commitment to democratic principles and avoid rhetoric that could destabilize the region.
Observers say the episode underscores the importance of dialogue and restraint as Sierra Leone continues to consolidate peace and democratic governance.