Hawa Madiana Hunt, a 42-year-old reality television personality, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura in Pademba Road Court No. 2, Freetown, on two counts of disseminating insulting messages via a computer system. These charges are in violation of Section 44 (2) (b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021 (Act No. 7 of 2021).
The charges relate to social media activity conducted between April 1 and April 30, 2024, during which Ms. Hunt allegedly utilized her Facebook account, titled “Hawa Hunt,” to publish messages intended to insult the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Jabbie Bio. The prosecution contends that these insults had the potential to damage her character and incite public disorder.
Similarly, the second count accuses Ms. Hunt of employing her Facebook account to disseminate derogatory remarks against His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, with the intention of damaging his reputation.
Upon the charges being read, Ms. Hunt entered a plea of not guilty.
State prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq requested a brief adjournment to allow for case preparation. Subsequently, Ms. Hunt’s attorney, J.B. Sesay, submitted a bail application, arguing that Ms. Hunt, holding dual citizenship of Sierra Leone and Canada, presented no flight risk, given that her travel documents were in police custody. He further argued that she is a philanthropist dedicated to aiding children, supported by credible sureties for her bail application under Section 79(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
However, Magistrate Bangura denied the bail application, citing concerns that Ms. Hunt’s ties to Canada could constitute a flight risk, in conjunction with the serious nature of the allegations.
The case has been adjourned until January 15, 2025.
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