On Wednesday 15th February, 2023; the High Court of Sierra Leone issued an interim injunction restraining the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) of the opposition All Peoples Congress Party (APC) from holding the National Delegates’ conference slated for 17th-19th February in Makeni city pending the hearing and determination of the application.
Despite the court injunction, the APC Party has vowed to hold its 3-day National Delegates’ Conference scheduled to start today 17th February, 2023 in Makeni.
The party has issued a press release to confirm the holding of the delegates conference. The Secretary General of APC, Hon. Abdul Kargbo said the Party will not accept an interim injunction from the court restraining the ITGC from conducting their national delegates conference from 17th to 19th of February, 2023.
He further stated that there is possibility for APC to withdraw from all national political activities if they are stopped from holding their conference as planned.
The Sierra Leone Police has issued a press release revoking the clearance given to the APC to hold its National Delegate Conference.
The Police release came just after High Court Judge, Honorable Justice Hannah Bonnie issued an interim injunction on the delegates conference.
Among other things prayed for in the injunction, the Plaintiff asked the Court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining those members who were found “culpable of dishonest nature” by the Commissions of Inquiry from contesting for any position in the APC especially when the said COI Judgments have not been overturned by the Court.
Eighteen members of the Party have declared their aspirations to contest for the position of flagbearer in the June 2023 elections. They include: Abu Bakarr Kalokoh, Alfred Palo Conteh, Ansumana Usman Koroma, Bassie Kamara, Dr. Kaifala Marah, Dr. Momoh Vandi, Dr. Paul Alimamy Bangura, Dr. Richard Konteh, Dr. Samura M.W. Kamara, Hon. Amara Alkalie Kamara, Hon. Dr. Amb. Alimamy P. Kamara, Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay, Mohamed Mahdi Sesay, Mr. Alhaji Osman Thonkla Bangura, Muhammad Mahdi Sesay, Omrie Michael Golley, Sim Ibrahim Mohamed Turay and Susan Bona.
But what’s the legal consequence for the APC Party to hold its delegates conference, amid the Court Injunction is the big question yet to be answered.
The APC would be required to abide to the Court injunction or face legal sanctions. Both the court and party would need to move fast to resolve the matter.
