CRN Flags Violation Of Zainab Sheriff’s Constitutional Rights

The Community Reform Network (CRN), a Sierra Leonean advocacy and social justice organisation registered in the United Kingdom, has expressed deep concern over the continued detention of social activist, Ms. Zainab Sheriff, who has now been held for 27 days by the Sierra Leone Police.

Ms. Sheriff was arrested on 20 February 2026 on allegations of incitement and insulting behaviour stemming from statements she made during a political rally organised by the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) at the Attouga Stadium in Freetown on 31 January 2026. Since her arrest, she has appeared before a Magistrate on at least four occasions, but has repeatedly been denied bail.

CRN maintains that both the arrest and continued detention of Ms. Sheriff constitute clear violations of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. The organisation emphasised that Chapter III, Section 25 of the Constitution guarantees the protection of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of opinion.

Human rights observers, legal practitioners, and civil society representatives have widely described Ms. Sheriff’s detention as politically motivated and an infringement of her rights as a citizen. Reports from Freetown further allege that she has been subjected to intimidation, ill-treatment, and other forms of abuse while in custody.

CRN is calling on the relevant authorities to uphold the rule of law, respect constitutional provisions, and ensure that Ms. Sheriff’s rights are fully protected, including her immediate and unconditional release or the granting of bail in accordance with due process.

86-90 Paul Street

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England, GB 19/03/2026

PRESS RELEASE

Protest over the Continued Detention of Ms Zainab Sheriff in Sierra Leone

The Community Reform Network (CRN), a Sierra Leonean Advocacy and Social Justice Institution

registered in the United Kingdom, expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of Ms Zainab Sheriff, a social activist, who has now been held for 27 days by the Sierra Leone Police. Ms Sheriff was arrested on 20 February 2026 on allegations of incitement and insulting behaviour arising from statements she made during a political rally organised by the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) at the Attouga Stadium in Freetown on 31 January 2026. Since her arrest, she has appeared before a magistrate on at least four occasions but has repeatedly been denied bail.

CRN maintains that both the arrest and continued detention of Ms Sheriff constitute clear violations of

the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. The organisation emphasises that Chapter III, Section 25 of the

Constitution guarantees the recognition and protection of fundamental human rights, including freedom

of expression and freedom of opinion.

Human rights observers, legal practitioners, and civil society representatives have widely described Ms

Sheriff’s detention as politically motivated and an infringement of her rights as a citizen. Reports from

Freetown indicate that she has been subjected to intimidation, ill-treatment, and other abuses, allegedly

due to her perceived support for the APC.

CRN further draws attention to Section 17 of the Constitution, which safeguards personal liberty. The

provision stipulates that individuals may be deprived of their liberty only in circumstances authorised by

law and must be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest, afforded access to legal

representation, and brought before a court within 72 hours for non-capital offences. Where these

requirements are not met, the Constitution provides for release—either unconditionally or on reasonable bail—and for compensation in cases of unlawful detention.

The organisation also reminds the Sierra Leonean authorities of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, which

states that offences of this nature are ordinarily bailable unless prosecutors can demonstrate compelling

grounds, supported by affidavit evidence, to justify refusal. CRN notes that prosecutors have not been

prepared to proceed substantively with the case, rendering the continued detention of Ms Sheriff

unlawful.

CRN calls on the Sierra Leone Police and the State legal authorities to uphold constitutional protections,

including Section 18 on freedom of movement, Section 20 on protection from torture and inhuman or

degrading treatment, and Section 25 on freedom of expression. The organisation aligns itself with

domestic and international human rights bodies that view Ms Sheriff’s detention as a punitive action for

exercising her constitutional right to express political views.

Accordingly, CRN demands Ms Sheriff’s immediate release or the granting of bail, full compliance with

constitutional safeguards, an end to further violations of her rights, and appropriate compensation for the alleged breaches.

CRN also urges the Government of Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Police to take note of the growing

public frustration surrounding this case. At a time when the international community continues to

advocate for increased participation of women in political and civic life—particularly in countries such as

Sierra Leone—the arrest and reported mistreatment of a young female activist represent a serious

setback.

It must be noted that Ms Sheriff’s remarks constituted a conditional warning rather than an act of

incitement, as has been alleged. She stated that “if” the electoral authorities were to undermine the

electoral process—as many believe occurred in 2023—public reactions could follow, potentially resulting in loss of life. Her statement was therefore an expression of concern about future consequences, not a call to violence.

Considering these concerns, CRN appeals to the international community, including Amnesty

International, the Human Rights Commission, ECOWAS, the Mano River Union, the African Union, and

the International Criminal Court, to encourage Sierra Leone to honour its constitutional and international obligations. CRN further notes that the continued detention of Ms Sheriff appears inconsistent with Sierra Leone’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), particularly Articles 1, 2, 3–5, and 12–17.

Contact:

The Corporate Secretary

Signature………………………………….

Sheku Bangura

Community Reform Network

Cc:

Rtd Brig. Julius M Bio, The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, State House, Freetown
Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice, Republic of Sierra Leone
Dr Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President, Head of Police Council, Republic of Sierra Leone
Mr Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Republic of Sierra Leone
Mr William Faya Sellu, Inspector General of Police, Republic of Sierra Leone
Mrs Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare, Republic of Sierra Leone
Mr Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Hon Shirley Botchwey, Secretary General of The Commonwealth
The Embassy of the United States of America, Republic of Sierra Leone
Hon. Josephine Gauld LVO, British High Commissioner, Republic of Sierra Leone
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State (Development and Africa), UK
Karim Asad Ahmad Khan Esq, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
Neil Coyle MP, British Parliament
H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, The President of ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, NigeriaDocusign Envelope ID: 04F0E3F2-90EA-8255-81F1-6CEA8A419D02
H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Hon Harriet Harman MP, Chairman of the UK Human Rights Committee
The Majority and Minority Leaders, The Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leone Bar Association
The Lawyers Society, Republic of Sierra Leone