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Reality TV personality Hawa Madiana Hunt has been ordered to stand trial in the High Court on charges of allegedly sending insulting messages about President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio.
The decision was delivered on January 22 by Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown. The ruling followed a failed ‘no-case’ submission by Hunt’s legal team, which argued that the prosecution had not presented sufficient evidence to establish the charges.
Hunt is accused of publishing derogatory remarks on Facebook between April 1 and April 30, 2024, targeting the First Family. The posts allegedly caused public disturbance and damaged their reputations. She faces two counts under the Cybercrime Act for sending insulting messages via a computer system.
Magistrate Bangura, in his ruling, dismissed the defense’s argument of insufficient evidence. He stated that the prosecution had established the necessary elements of the alleged offenses, warranting the case’s escalation to the High Court.
The magistrate also addressed jurisdictional and procedural objections raised by the defense, affirming that the case was properly before the court and that the charges were valid. Even if the charges had procedural defects, he said, this would not preclude the matter from being committed to the High Court.
Hunt’s admission to creating a video central to the allegations was deemed significant by the court, further substantiating the prosecution’s case.
Defense lawyer Rashid Dumbuya requested bail following the ruling, but State Counsel Yusuf Issac Sesay opposed the application. Magistrate Bangura denied bail and remanded Hunt in custody pending her High Court trial.
After the decision, Dumbuya stated that he would review the ruling before determining the next steps.
Hunt, dressed in a gray designer T-shirt, appeared calm in court and displayed confidence about the upcoming trial. The High Court is expected to set a trial date in the coming weeks.
No bail for insulting somebody, seriously? Oyr systemis corrupt to the bone, from the top down.
So her insult is a bigger crime your corrupt officials.
Have you arrest police for embezzlement
Go and check auditor’s report and release this innocent lady
Viewed from all angles, the bail refusal is justified because Hawa Madiana Hunt is a flight risk. If granted bail, Hawa Hunt can easily escape to Liberia or Guinea and lie to the Canadian embassy that her passport has been stolen. She could be given temporary travelling documents and fly to Canada. We already know the cases of Ernest Bai Koroma and Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray.
NO CHANCE TAKING.
Good morning to you all Sierra Leoneans., with the way this case is going I don’t think is the right way. To me this case should long time ago forgotten and let your citizens rest.
Besides, as a leader you don’t expect everyone in the society to respect or appreciate your efforts. That’s human for you.
So, at this point, I will like plead with the president YOUR EXCELLENCY BIO and all the citizens of Sierra Leone to let this go (forgive).
As a leader, use this set a perfect way of leadership leading to the citizens and society at large.
I hope this message reach out to you Sir, Your Excellency President Bio.
Thanks.
I’m just a lover of your country my fellow African country as a youth from Nigeria.
Odey Raphael.
Thanks, God bless you.
Oooo this country the game dae play hmmm small small ooo this tin been done happen before them dea pass the law na paliment but now hawa dea pa suffer ooo una nor forget ooo say what goes around comes around