By Janet A. Sesay
The case of reality TV Star, Hawa Madiana Hunt has on Wednesday, 22 January, 2025 committed to High Court for further trial for allegedly making incendiary remarks on video about President Bio and First Lady Fatima Jabbie-Bio prior to the June 2023 election.
This decision was made by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, following a “No-case” submission of the matter and her acquittal and discharge submitted by her Defense.
Hawa Hunt faces two counts charges of sending insulting messages via a computer system, specifically through Facebook posts between April 1 and April 30, 2024. The posts allegedly targeted the First Lady and President Bio, causing public disturbances and harm to their reputations.
Magistrate Bangura’s ruling on January 22, 2025, disagreed with the Defense’s argument that there was insufficient evidence to prove the essential elements of the offenses.
Rather, the learned Magistrate in his opinion submitted that he found these elements to have been established which has paved the way for the case to proceed to the High Court. The Magistrate also addressed several arguments raised by the Defense, including the jurisdiction and procedural issues.
He ruled that the matter was properly before the court and that the charges against the accused were not defective.
Furthermore, the Magistrate noted that even if the charges were defective, it would not have prevented the case from being committed to the High Court for trial, based on the admission by the accused that she created the video which according to the Magistrate, is a crucial element in completing the offenses as charged.
As a result, Magistrate Bangura dismissed the “No-case” submission and committed the matter to the High Court for trial, with Hunt to remain in custody.
Following the ruling, Defense Counsel, Rashid Dumbuya requested bail, which was opposed by State Counsel, Yusuf Issac Sesay.
Magistrate Bangura upheld the opposition to the bail application as he committed the matter to the High Court.
In response to the ruling, Lawyer Dumbuya indicated that he would study the decision and decide on the next course of action.
Meanwhile, Hawa Madiana Hunt appeared calm and composed, dressed in a gray designer T-shirt, seemingly confident about the outcome of the trial in the High Court.