Reality TV personality Hawa Madiana Hunt has been committed to the High Court for trial on charges of transmitting insulting messages targeting President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown made the ruling on January 22, 2025, rejecting a ‘no-case’ submission by Hunt’s defense team.
Magistrate Bangura concluded that sufficient evidence was presented to substantiate the charges, dismissing defense arguments on jurisdiction and procedural issues. He affirmed the charges’ validity and stated that any defects would not have obstructed the case’s progression to the High Court.
Following the ruling, Lawyer Dumbuya announced plans to review the decision and explore further legal options.
Hunt faces two charges of using a computer system to transmit offensive messages via Facebook posts between April 1 and April 30, 2024. The prosecution alleges these posts caused public unrest and harmed the reputations of the First Family.
Hunt’s admission of creating a video, a key piece of evidence, was instrumental in the court’s decision. A request for bail from defense lawyer Rashid Dumbuya was denied after State Counsel Yusuf Issac Sesay opposed the motion. Hunt will remain in custody pending her High Court trial.
