In what many have described as dramatic turn of events, Sierra Leonean-Canadian reality show star Hawa Madina Hunt has been released from detention after spending months behind bars on charges of insulting President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio.
Her release follows a heartfelt video appeal by the First Lady, distancing herself from the arrest and pleading for Hunt’s freedom. A high Court Judge Justice Tonia Bernnette ordered that Hunt”s should walk free and she ordered that her two passports; both Sierra Leonean and Canadian be returned to her .
Hunt was facing two count charges which according to the State were against the new Cyber Security laws of Sierra Leone.
This decision came after the State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay told the Count that they wanted it to discharge the case as they no longer wanted to continue with the case .
Sesay cited sections in the constitution on Sierra Leone and other laws which he argued that the Prosecution’s Office is at Liberty to discontinue a case if they feel so on grounds they are convinced with .
In reply , Defence Lawyer Dumbuya took the stage to thank the Court and the prosecutor.
It could be recalled that Hunt, 42, was arrested on December 22, 2024, while participating in the reality show “House of Stars.”
Her arrest was linked to a 2023 video where Hunt criticized the President and First Lady, accusing them of abusing power and being undemocratic.
Hunt has appeared before a magistrate and a high courts before she was released on Tuesday. There has been huge public condemnation and out cry following her arrest .
It could also be recalled that , In the video which she is said to have put out , went viral, and Hunt expressed her dissatisfaction with the country’s leadership, stating, “The man has big guts! He stood up a week ago when Zainab Sherriff accused him of being a killer. They took her away and locked her up. He’s not my president.”
Her Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya has insisted that her client was innocent and commited not crime but expressed her rights to free speech.
During the trials multiple bail requests were made , but Hunt remained detained at Freetown Correctional Center at New England Freetown .
Clearly , Hunt was f charges under the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021 for allegedly transmitting insulting messages via a computer system.
Even her prolonged detention drew international attention, with Amnesty International and others calling for her release and a fair trial.
This crisis took a nose dive and got escalated diplomatically when David Pratt, a former Canadian defense minister and Honorary Consul for Sierra Leone, resigned in protest of Hunt’s detention weeks ago .
And , in his resignation letter, Pratt stated, “I believe very strongly that Sierra Leone needs to have a higher regard for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of speech, than has been on display recently.”
Embarrassingly , and in a twist response , First Lady Fatima Bio , few days ago , released a video appeal, emphasizing her lack of involvement in Hunt’s arrest and detention.
And called for her release.
This saw an urgency and pressure from all fronts , and on March 4, 2025, Justice Tonia Barnett of the Appeal Court discharged all charges against Hunt.
However, Hunt’s release has sparked huge public debates about freedom of expression and human rights in Sierra Leone.
