By Andrew Chokpeleh

Freetown, 31st August, 2026 – The High Court of Sierra Leone has issued an interim ruling restraining the current executives of the All People’s Congress (APC) from referring to themselves as the party’s national officials and directed the APC to conduct delegate elections across all districts within 21 days.

The ruling was delivered today by Justice Adrian J.  Fisher of High Court No. 1 after hearing submissions from both the plaintiff and the defendants in the matter. The Judge said the plaintiff argued that the tenure of the party’s current executive had expired and that, under the APC Constitution, the officials no longer had the legal authority to continue managing the affairs of the party. The court noted that these issues would be fully determined when the substantive matter comes up for hearing.

As part of the interim orders, the court directed the APC to conduct delegate elections across all districts within 21 days. Justice Fisher said the directive was intended to facilitate the party’s internal democratic processes while the court continues to hear the case. Despite restraining the former National Chairman and Secretary-General from holding themselves out as national officials, the court made exceptions to ensure that the party’s operations do not come to a halt.

Justice Fisher ruled that the two officials may continue providing administrative support to the party secretariat since they are the signatories to the party’s bank accounts. He explained that this arrangement was necessary to ensure the continuity of the party’s day-to-day activities.

During the proceedings, counsel for the defendants informed the court that the 21-day period would not be sufficient to complete the delegate elections nationwide. They argued that the party’s electoral process required the publication of a list of eligible voters, during which members are given time to submit comments, objections, and petitions before elections could be conducted.

In response, Justice Fisher stated that the APC might apply to the court for an extension of the 21 days if it could provide reasonable grounds for the request.

The judge emphasised that any application for additional time would have to be supported by sufficient justification as the court prepares to determine the substantive issues before it.

The matter has been adjourned to 19th October, 2026, where the court will start hearing the matter that is before the court.