By Richmond B. Tholley
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 committal 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.
