By Feima Sesay
Hawa Madiana Hunt has been committed to stand trial in the High Court of Sierra Leone for what the State alleged were ’’ derogatory remarks against 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 1 and April 30, 2024.’’ The State Prosecutors say.
These posts, they alleged targeted the First Lady and President Bio, ‘’causing public disturbance and harm to their reputations.’’
Magistrate Bangura’s ruling on January 22, 2025, disagreed with the defense Lawyer’s argument that there was insufficient evidence to prove the essential elements of the offense. Instead, he concluded that these elements had been established, and paved 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.
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 counsel Rashid Dumbuya requested for bail, which was opposed by State Counsel 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.
