High Court Orders APC District Elections Within 21 Days

The High Court of Sierra Leone has issued an interim injunction restricting former executive members of the All People’s Congress from presenting themselves as party executives or carrying out functions reserved for the APC executive.

Justice Adrian Fischer also ordered the party to complete its district-level elections within 21 days of the order. Complaints arising from those elections must be handled within the same period by the APC’s internal bodies responsible for resolving election disputes.

Restrictions on party officials

The order applies to former APC executive members who served under the party’s 2022 Constitution. It varies an earlier injunction granted on August 27, 2026.

Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, identified as the APC National Chairman and first defendant, and Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, identified as the National Secretary-General and second defendant, were restricted from carrying out activities associated with their offices and from taking part in the day-to-day running and supervision of APC affairs, except where the order allows them to do so.

The court permitted the two officials to sign payment cheques for executive staff and contractors whose payments had already been approved by the party secretariat. Justice Fischer said the exception was allowed because they are signatories to the APC’s bank accounts and to ensure that people working or who had worked for the party could receive their salaries without delay.

They were also allowed to provide information and administrative assistance to APC election management bodies for the district-level elections.

Secretariat to continue operating

The APC National Secretariat is to continue its work without the restrained officials presenting themselves as executive members. The court said the secretariat would receive assistance from three members of the APC Council of Elders.

The order does not amount to a final ruling in the case. Justice Fischer emphasised that the decision was interim in nature, leaving the broader matter to be determined later.

The court warned that anyone who disobeys the order could be found in contempt of court. Possible consequences include imprisonment, a fine or the seizure of assets.

Further court timetable

The plaintiffs were directed to serve the court order and other filed applications on the fourth defendant forthwith. The defendants have until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026, to file their responses to the originating notice of motion.

The matter has been adjourned to Monday, October 19, 2026, for an inter-parties hearing. The court also indicated the need for the proceedings to be concluded speedily.