Freetown, April 25 -- A Sierra Leonean court has sentenced opposition politician and entertainer Zainab Sheriff to four years and two months in prison, in a ruling that has ignited nationwide debate over free expression and political dissent.

The judgment was delivered on April 14 by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown. The court found Sheriff guilty on two counts-incitement and using threatening language-ruling that prosecutors had proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentences for the charges are to run consecutively.

Sheriff, a prominent member of the opposition All People's Congress (APC) and founder of the "Wi Duti Lappa" women's empowerment movement, was charged under Se...