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The Christian Lawyers Centre (Legal Link) has appealed to President Julius Maada Bio to grant a pre-emptive pardon to Hawa Madiana Hunt, a Canadian-Sierra Leonean citizen currently held in detention for nearly two months.
Hunt, an artist, social media commentator, and activist, was arrested on December 22, 2024, during a live broadcast of the reality TV show House of Stars. She faces charges for sending “insulting messages” via a computer system following a video posted in May 2023 that criticized the President and his wife.
Despite her legal team’s repeated requests for bail, Hunt has been denied and remains in detention while awaiting trial.
Legal Link has expressed concerns about the prolonged detention, emphasizing that similar cases have been handled differently. For example, Zainab Sheriff, who was also charged under the Cyber Security and Crime Act for cyber-stalking and cyberbullying, was granted bail and processed swiftly.
Additionally, in the case of Abdul Kadiru Kaikai, who made an incendiary video threatening national security, he was released without charges after retracting his statement. Legal Link believes that the handling of Hunt’s case reflects a pattern of selective justice, where individuals critical of the government face harsher treatment.
The organization also pointed out the potential diplomatic fallout with Canada, where Hunt is a citizen. Sierra Leone’s relationship with Canada, a key partner in education and development, could be strained by the handling of this case.
Legal Link further emphasized the broader implications for freedom of expression in Sierra Leone, stressing that Hunt’s case undermines recent efforts to protect citizens’ rights. The group urged President Bio to take swift action in line with reforms that have strengthened civil liberties, such as the expunging of the Criminal Libel Law.
The appeal also drew attention to the emotional toll on Hunt’s three children in Canada, who have spent significant holidays without their mother. Legal Link called for a resolution that balances justice, human rights, and the country’s diplomatic interests.
