By Feima Sesay
The case of Hawa Madiana Hunt has been committed to stand trial in the High Court for what the State said was ‘’derogatory remarks’’ about President Bio and his wife, the First Lady.
This decision was made by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown, following a ‘no-case’ submission by Hunt’s defense team.
Hunt faces two counts charges of ‘sending insulting messages via a computer system, specifically through Facebook posts made between April 1st and April 30th , 2024.
The state prosecutors said The messages posted targeted the First Lady and President Bio, and had caused public disturbance and harm to their reputations.
Magistrate Bangura’s ruling on January 22nd, 2025, disagreed with the defense’s argument that there was insufficient evidence to prove the essential elements of the offense.
The rulling noted that the ‘elements’ had been established, paving the way for the case to proceed to the High Court.
The Magistrate also addressed several arguments raised by the defense, including jurisdiction and procedural issues. He ruled that the matter was properly before the court and that the charges against Hunt were not defective.
Furthermore, he noted that even if the charges were defective, it would not have prevented the case from being committed to the High Court for trial.
The Court further said that Hunt’s admission to creating a video was seen as a crucial element in completing the offenses 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 Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya requested for bail, and this was opposed by State Lawyer Yusuf Issac Sesay.
Magistrate Bangura denied the bail application, and sent the case 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.
