A social media influencer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for insulting Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

According to state broadcaster ZNBC, Ethel Chisono Edwards, a Zambian-American blogger, pleaded guilty to a charge of hate speech before Lusaka Magistrate Webster Milumbe.

She is known for consistently making critical comments about President Hakainde Hichilema.

Ethel, popularly known as "One Boss Lady", has a huge following on various social media platforms, where she posts her content.

The woman, who is reportedly also an estate agent in New York, was arrested at Zambia's main airport in Lusaka in September upon arrival to attend her grandmother's funeral.

The influencer had been in police custody since then and was convicted on Tuesday under Zambia's Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act.

Plea for leniency

The 42-year-old blogger had apologised for her offensive comments against the president and pleaded for leniency through her lawyer, Joseph Katati, who described her as a remorseful first offender.

"I want to unreservedly apologise to the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, his family, and the nation of Zambia for the words that I uttered against the President and for the negative effects that those words may have caused," according to a statement read in court.

However, the magistrate said the jailing was a strong warning to people who engage in hate speech. It's not yet clear whether she will appeal the judgement.

The sentencing has once again sparked debates over freedom of speech and the need to maintain sanity on social media.

This is not the first time people have been jailed for hurting Zambian President Hichilema, who came to power in 2021.

In September, two men were sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of attempting to kill the Zambian president through witchcraft.