Gambiaj.com – (Freetown, Sierra Leone) – The Cyber Crime Unit of Sierra Leone’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has summoned Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the 2023 presidential candidate of the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC), for questioning over a series of widely circulated videos and audio recordings in which he is referred to — and appears to refer to himself — as the “President-elect of Sierra Leone.”

The invitation, detailed in a formal letter dated April 30 and issued from CID Headquarters on Pademba Road, is part of an ongoing investigation into what authorities have described as potentially inflammatory content surrounding the country’s post-election narrative.

Dr. Kamara is expected to appear before the CID’s Cyber Investigations Unit at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, to clarify his role and intent in the videos and audios under scrutiny.

According to the Sierra Leone CID, the recordings — compiled from a range of public and possibly private gatherings — include statements that raise “serious concerns” regarding electoral legitimacy and national stability.

The department further noted that the former APC flag bearer was not only repeatedly referred to as “President-elect” by supporters in the footage but also appeared to endorse the title himself.

The 2023 elections, which saw incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) declared the winner by the Electoral Commission, were followed by widespread claims of irregularities.

The APC, led by Dr. Kamara, rejected the results, citing a lack of transparency and accusing the commission of failing to conduct a credible tallying process. The post-election climate has remained tense, with both domestic actors and international observers calling for calm, dialogue, and reforms to restore public trust in democratic institutions.

While Dr. Kamara has remained a central figure in post-election opposition discourse, this latest development signals a potential escalation in how the state is responding to dissent and contested narratives.

Legal analysts warn that such summonses could have far-reaching implications not just for the former candidate but also for freedom of expression and political speech in Sierra Leone.

The CID has not publicly disclosed whether the investigation could lead to formal charges. However, political analysts say the move could further polarize the country’s already fragile political environment if not handled with transparency and restraint.

A spokesperson for the APC was not immediately available for comment.

This is not the first time Dr. Kamara has come under scrutiny from Sierra Leone state institutions. In 2022, he faced trial over allegations related to misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as foreign minister, a case his supporters claim was politically motivated.