By Alimatu Kargbo
In an exclusive interview, Alfred Minkailu Koroma a member of the All People’s Congress (APC) Communication Team said Zainab’s sentence was harsh, calling on President Julius Maada Bio to grant Zainab Sheriff a presidential pardon.
According to Koroma the party remained firmly behind Sheriff, insisting that the punishment imposed on her did not fit the offence for which she was convicted.
“We believe the offence she was convicted of did not warrant such a harsh punishment,” Koroma said.
“Our support for Zainab remains constant like the Northern Star,” he added, reaffirming the party’s continued advocacy for her freedom.
Koma argued that other individuals had allegedly made similar or more serious statements without facing comparable consequences. He maintained, however, that the APC would respect the authority of the courts and pursue lawful means to secure Sheriff’s release.
The spokesman expressed disappointment that Sheriff’s name was reportedly absent from the previous presidential pardon list, despite calls for her release from political actors, human rights organisations, bloggers and other advocates.
“I think it has reached a point where the government should consider granting Zainab a pardon,” he said.
Asked about the latest development in Sheriff’s appeal, Koroma said the party had received no new information from the High Court. He explained that Sheriff had chosen to engage her own lawyers, limiting the party’s direct involvement in her legal representation.
He also acknowledged that the APC was facing constraints following a court order affecting its officeholders, adding that specific details of legal engagements and future steps would have to come from the party’s legal team and leadership.
Koroma said the party would continue exploring lawful options to secure Sheriff’s freedom, while stressing that it would not seek to prevent the enforcement of a court decision through demonstrations.
He maintained that the APC’s position had not changed and called on the government to consider a presidential pardon.
