AYV News, March 4, 2025
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio has tendered an appeal to the judiciary, police, Attorney General’s office and all state actors involved in the arrest and detention of reality tv star, Madinatu Hawa Hunt, to free her and allow her join her family in Canada.
In an emotional video posted on Day One of Ramadan, Dr. Bio debunked all allegations that she was responsible for Hunt’s arrest and detention.
Dr. Fatima Bio said she was not even in Freetown when Hunt was arrested, stating: “I did not order her arrest, I did not ask anyone to arrest her on behalf, and I was not even in Freetown at the time she was arrested in December, 2024”.
She explained that it was her sister, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden that first contacted her and informed her about the arrest and detention. She said when she returned to Freetown after the Christmas holiday with her family on the Island, she investigated and later learnt it was one Madinatu Hunt who has attacked her many times on social media that was arrested and detained.
Dr. Bio said: “I knew Madinatu since 2022 and since then, for no reason, she has been attacking me on all her handles on social media, using invectives on my mother, father, husband and children. I have blocked her on all my social media handles and had nothing to do with her since then.”
Hunt, a dual citizen of Canada and Sierra Leone, was arrested while participating in the reality TV show “House of Stars” for comments made in a 2023 video criticizing President Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady. She faces charges under the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021 for allegedly transmitting “insulting messages” and inciting public disorder.
Concerns about Hunt’s health have been growing, with reports indicating poor prison conditions, including bedbug infestations and inadequate food. Human rights activists and organizations like Amnesty International have called for her release and a fair trial, expressing apprehension over the legislation used in her prosecution.
