By Jane B. Mansaray.
The High Court of Sierra Leone, presided over by Justice Adrian Fischer, yesterday issued an interim injunction restraining former executive members of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) from holding themselves out as executive members of the party or performing functions reserved for its executive.
The order, which varies an earlier injunction granted on August 27, 2026 prevents all executive members who formerly served under the APC’s 2022 Constitution from convening or attending executive meetings, carrying out activities synonymous with executive positions, or taking part in or supervising the affairs of the APC party in their capacity as executive members.
Justice Fischer also ordered that the first and second defendants, identified as National Chairman Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh and National Secretary-General Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, respectively, are restrained from carrying out activities associated with their respective offices or participating in the day-to-day running and supervision of the affairs of the APC, except for functions specifically permitted under the court’s order.
The court, however, exempt the two officials from certain functions necessary to ensure the continued operations of the party and the payment of its workers.
Justice Fischer explained that the National Chairman and National Secretary-General, as signatories to the party’s bank accounts, may continue to sign payment cheques for executive staff and contractors whose payments have been approved by the secretariat.
He said this was necessary to ensure that people who have worked, or are currently working, for the party receive their salaries without delay.
The court also permitted the officials to provide relevant information and administrative support to the election management bodies to facilitate the conduct of the district-level elections within the stipulated timeframe.
Under the order, the APC National Secretariat shall continue to operate without the officials restrained by the injunction holding themselves out as executive members. The secretariat will be assisted by three members of the Council of Elders in carrying out its functions.
Justice Fischer further ordered that the APC’s district-level elections must be completed within 21 days from the date of the order. Any complaints arising from the elections are also to be resolved within that period by the party’s internal bodies responsible for adjudicating such disputes.
The plaintiffs have been ordered to serve copies of the court order and all other applications filed before the court 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.
Justice Fischer emphasised that the ruling is purely interim and does not constitute a final determination of the matter.
He warned that any person who disobeys the order could be found guilty of contempt of court and may face imprisonment, a fine, or seizure of assets.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday, October 19, 2026, for an inter-parties hearing, with the court indicating the need for a speedy conclusion of the proceedings.
