Freetown, 25th May 2026 – Civil society organisation AdvocAid has denounced the sentencing of Sierra Leonean entertainer and political figure Zainab Sheriff, warning that her case reflects a growing trend of laws being used to silence dissent and restrict civic space.
AdvocAid’s position was articulated as they featured in The Guardian’s global development article discussing concerns around freedom of expression and the use of public order laws in Sierra Leone.
Sheriff, a singer and reality‑TV star turned opposition voice, was sentenced in April to four years and two months in prison for incitement and threatening language after remarks made at a January rally. She was arrested on February 20, denied bail, and is currently held at a maximum‑security prison in Freetown.
AdvocAid’s Legal Manager, Willietta Hughes, described the proceedings as reminiscent of a “show trial,” stressing that no evidence was presented to show Sheriff’s comments provoked public disorder. “We have seen people who have said far worse and were either not prosecuted or given very low terms,” Hughes said. “The law is being utilised as a weapon against people who speak up.”
She added that the sentence was “ridiculous” and intended to send a chilling message to citizens that exercising free expression could lead to imprisonment.
AdvocAid noted that Sheriff’s case is part of a broader pattern of restrictions on free speech, particularly targeting women. The organisation pointed to the arrest of social media influencer Hawa Hunt in 2023 and the detention of dozens of women protesters in 2022 as examples of how public order laws are being applied to suppress voices critical of government.
Prominent figures, including Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki‑Sawyerr and women’s rights activist Nemata Majeks Walker, have also raised alarm, warning that Sierra Leone’s democracy risks sliding into authoritarianism.
AdvocAid reaffirmed its commitment to defending women’s rights and freedom of expression, urging authorities to respect constitutional protections and international human rights standards. The organisation stressed that Sheriff’s imprisonment is not just about one individual but about safeguarding civic space for all Sierra Leoneans.
