Edwina Hawa Jamiru has publicly responded to comments by the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, during an interview on AYV Television’s Wake Up Sierra Leone programme, describing them as “bad, painful, and pathetic.”

In a video statement released on Monday, 9th January 2026, Jamiru said she was shocked by the First Lady’s comments concerning her past legal battle involving Justice Momoh Jah Stevens, insisting that the matter had long been closed.

“That chapter is closed. I closed it before 2026 even began. Since 2025, I have moved on,” Jamiru said.

She strongly rejected allegations of immoral conduct, stating that they were false and damaging to her reputation.

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“I am not what the First Lady is saying. I did not sleep with men. I was sexually abused, and that distinction matters,” she emphasized.

expressed disappointment in what she described as the First Lady’s failure to stand up for her during her ordeal, despite publicly championing women’s rights through the Hands Off Our Girls campaign.

“You said you are fighting for women and girls, but I did not see you fight for me or for women like me,” she said.

Recalling her legal battle, Jamiru highlighted that she fought the case largely on her own, at times representing herself in court, and ultimately emerged victorious.

“By the grace of God, I fought very hard. I stood up for my rights as a woman in Sierra Leone, and I won,” she said.
She further cautioned the First Lady against what she termed an abuse of office and personal attacks.

“With all due respect, you are the First Lady, and you have boundaries. I will not appreciate you crossing those boundaries by being disrespectful to my personality,” Jamiru warned.

Addressing remarks about her family life, Jamiru clarified that she has only one child, whose paternity was legally established.

“My daughter, Edwina Stevens, has only one father-Justice Momoh Jah Stevens-and DNA evidence proved it beyond all reasonable doubt,” she stated, adding that this demonstrated her faithfulness and personal integrity.

Jamiru accused the First Lady of undermining women who speak out, rather than supporting them.

“When women speak up, you fight against us. You laugh at our pain instead of helping us solve our problems,” she said.

She also criticized any political ambition that, in her view, is not grounded in genuine advocacy for women’s rights.

We are not looking for a woman who just wants to pop up and become president. We want a woman who will fight for women and girls, protect our dignity, and ensure our voices are heard,” Jamiru declared.

Concluding her statement, Jamiru said she has found peace and victory, and warned that such public attacks should not happen again.

“Know your boundaries and where it should stop. I respect myself and the women of Sierra Leone, and I will not tolerate such disrespect again,” she said.

She also revealed that she is currently enrolled in the Law Degree Programme at Fourah Bay College, describing herself as focused, determined, and undistracted by controversy.

“I am empowering myself. Neither you nor anyone else can distract me from my purpose,” Jamiru concluded.