In a courtroom filled with anticipation, the prosecution concluded its case against reality TV star Hawa Madiana Hunt on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, following testimonies from two key witnesses who alleged she made derogatory remarks about President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Madam Fatima Jabbie Bio via social media.
Lead defense counsel, Rashid Dumbuya, announced the defense's intention to file a no-case submission at the next adjournment date.
The first prosecution witness, Paul Alicious Moseray, testified under oath regarding the events of December 20, 2024, when he was informed of a video circulating on social media in which Hunt appeared to insult the President and the First Lady.
Moseray described how, the following day, a police team led by Detective Inspector Amos Mohamed Lansana, accompanied by himself, visited the House of Stars Reality TV Show to apprehend Hunt. After discussions with the show's management, arrangements were made for her arrest the next day, resulting in her apprehension on December 22 without incident.
During interrogation, Moseray stated that the accused admitted to creating the video but claimed no intent to offend.
He confirmed that he informed her of her right to legal representation, yet she chose to provide a statement without her lawyer present.
Under cross-examination, the defense questioned Moseray on the lack of a formal complainant, which he acknowledged. He defended the decision to arrest and charge Hunt without a complainant, asserting that their actions were both fair and professional.
The second prosecution witness, Detective Inspector Mohamed Jusu, testified as a System and Data Analyst at the Cyber Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
He recounted receiving a flash drive from Moseray on December 23, 2024, for forensic analysis.
Jusu confirmed that upon connecting the drive to his HP laptop, he verified it contained data and used various software tools to ensure the video had not been altered.
Jusu testified that the accused acknowledged making the derogatory statements in the video. He subsequently transcribed the video from Krio to English and prepared a report detailing his methods and findings, which was submitted in court.
During the proceedings, Lead Prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay attempted to introduce the flash drive as evidence, but Defense Counsel Dumbuya objected, citing that it lacked proper labeling and no foundation had been established for its admissibility. In response, State Counsel argued that the flash drive was indeed admissible and that the weight of the evidence should be determined by the court.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura ruled that there is no requirement for such evidence to be labeled, allowing Inspector Jusu to submit the flash drive, which contained the incriminating video. The video was then played in open court.
Following the cross-examination of Witness Jusu, Dumbuya requested bail for his client. The prosecution strongly opposed the bail application, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and classifying Hunt as a flight risk.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Magistrate Bangura noted the gravity of the offense and remanded Hunt, postponing the case until January 17, 2025.
Police reports indicated that between April 1 and April 30, 2024, Hunt allegedly used her Facebook account to post derogatory messages aimed at the First Lady and the President, potentially damaging their reputation and inciting public disturbance.
As a result, Hawa Madiana Hunt faces two counts of sending insulting messages by means of a computer system, contrary to the Cyber Security and Crime Act No. 7 of 2021. The unfolding events have shattered the star's reality dream, leaving the outcome of the case relating to her freedom to pursue her dreams, uncertain.
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