Popular TikToker Mariama Benjie has reportedly been released from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Freetown, where she was held in connection with audio recordings that circulated on social media.

Benjie was reportedly detained on Monday, January 19, 2026, following remarks in the recordings that allegedly linked the paternity of a child to President Julius Maada Bio. In the audio, Benjie is said to have referred to the father as a “highest ranking politician,” which some interpreted as referring to the President.

Reports indicate that her presence at the CID was related to the circulation of the recordings, though it remains unclear whether she was formally arrested or invited for questioning. No official statement has been issued by the Sierra Leone Police to clarify the nature of the investigation or her legal status.

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Benjie was reportedly released from custody. The circumstances of her release and whether any charges will follow are not yet known.

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State House has not commented on the matter, and President Bio has not publicly addressed the allegations. As of now, no evidence has been presented to support the claims made in the audio recordings, and the situation remains developing.