Concerns are mounting over the well-being of social media influencer Hawa Hunt, who has been imprisoned in Sierra Leone for over a month following her live TV arrest.
Hunt, a dual Canadian and Sierra Leonean citizen, was taken into custody on December 22, 2024, while appearing on the reality TV show House of Stars. Her arrest stems from comments she made on social media in May 2023 criticizing Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio.
With more than 100,000 followers across Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, Hunt now faces two counts of “transmitting insulting messages via a computer system” under the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021. Prosecutors allege her video incited public disorder and damaged the reputation of the president and his wife.
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Multiple bail requests for Hunt, a single mother of three, have been denied. A video released on December 28 showed her apologizing to the president and first lady, stating she was being treated well. However, her daughter and human rights activists suspect the confession was coerced and fear she may be experiencing abuse at Pademba Road prison in Freetown.
Alicia Hunt, 20, who lives in Calgary, Canada, has only been allowed monitored conversations with her mother. She revealed that her mother described dire conditions, including bedbug infestations, mosquito problems, and inadequate food—limited to buttered bread in the morning and a small portion of rice and fish at night.
“My mother said the food makes everyone sick. People would rather starve than eat it,” Alicia shared. “I once whispered and asked if she was being abused. She said, ‘Oh yeah, we are regularly hit here, but that’s just Africa, that’s how they do things.’ There should be no reason why they are laying hands on my mother or anyone.”
Alicia believes her mother’s arrest was politically motivated. She pointed out that Hunt and the first lady were former schoolmates and had previously interacted online. “I think the authorities saw her participation in House of Stars as an opportunity to arrest her publicly and use her as an example to silence criticism,” she said.
Amnesty International has called for Hunt’s release and a fair trial, expressing concerns over the law being used against her. “Several cases of possible violations of the right to freedom of expression under the Cybersecurity and Crime Act have previously been reported,” said Michèle Eken, a senior researcher at Amnesty’s West and Central Africa office.
Advocate Alimatu Dimonekene also condemned the government’s actions. “This is setting a dangerous precedent,” she warned. “People are now afraid to speak out, but holding governments accountable is essential.”
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone police spokesperson Mohamed Bobson Senu reportedly declined to comment, stating, “That matter is in court.”
