The ongoing matter between Zainab Sheriff and the State was adjourned after the defence informed the court that it had just been served with the prosecution’s file and was not prepared to proceed.
The defendant made her second appearance before Principal Magistrate Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, in connection with alleged inciting statements she reportedly made at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium.
Zainab Sheriff was arraigned on charges of incitement contrary to law and threatening language contrary to Section 30(1) of the Public Order Act 1965.
According to the police, on Saturday, 31st January 2026, at the Brima Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown, within the Freetown Judicial District, the defendant allegedly made inciting statements encouraging the killing of individuals accused of rigging elections.
Police further alleged that the defendant made statements to the effect that:
“Clearly election don don and you nor get more money than me, you rogue election and cheat a whole eight million people dem and kill people dem and send dem go jail, we go send message say nobody nor go cheat an entire eight million people and proudly go free.”
The lead defence team, RM Kondeh Esq., told the court that they had only just received the prosecution’s file and needed adequate time to review it, noting that the allegations against their client were grave.
They therefore sought an adjournment.
State Prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, submitted that the prosecution had complied with Section 98(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024, which requires service of documents on the defence within eight days of the accused’s first appearance.
He argued that serving the file on the defence does not automatically prevent the matter from proceeding and that there is no law supporting the defence’s position.
The Prosecutor further contended that the defence’s request was unfair to the State.
In reply, the defence adopted their previous application on behalf of the defendant.
Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah refused bail, stating that he could not grant bail at that stage, as the defence had sought a date not to proceed.
He added that he first wished to hear the evidence of witnesses before considering bail.
The matter was adjourned to 4th March 2026 for continuation.
