Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, has publicly dismissed questions raised by an international investigation into her family’s acquisition of luxury real estate in The Gambia, asserting that she owes no explanation to reporters and accusing them of attempting to blackmail her.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), claimed on May 10 revealing that Bio, along with her mother and two half-brothers, acquired at least 10 high-end properties in The Gambia after her husband, Julius Maada Bio, assumed the presidency in 2018. The acquisitions, totaling over \$2.1 million, include beachfront villas, luxury apartments, and a four-storey building, as well as an ongoing hotel project boasting 70 rooms.
Following the report, the First Lady responded via a Facebook video posted on May 16. In the hour-long video, she claimed the report was based on “pictures of houses” and lacked proper documentation. She also falsely alleged that OCCRP had given her just 24 hours to respond to their inquiries — despite showing in the same video a screenshot of the email request, which clearly granted her nine days to reply.
In that email, OCCRP had asked Bio to clarify the source of funds for the properties and respond to its findings before publication. She declined to engage, stating, “I had absolutely nothing to tell him and I owe him no explanation.”
Bio also attempted to link the OCCRP investigation to her recent dispute with Koidu Limited, Sierra Leone’s largest diamond mining company. The firm had issued a legal notice demanding \$20 million in damages after she joined striking mine workers in March. In her Facebook address, Bio suggested that the OCCRP journalist behind the story was sent by Koidu Limited. OCCRP has previously investigated the company and its former parent, BSG Resources, owned by businessman Beny Steinmetz.
Further scrutiny surrounds Bio’s continued use of a council flat in Southwark, London. Despite residing in the presidential lodge in Freetown and owning multiple properties abroad, she appears to retain the subsidized apartment, which council regulations stipulate must serve as a primary residence. Southwark Council, responding to media queries, did not comment on her specific case but emphasized the importance of council housing being allocated to residents in genuine need.
The claims have drawn sharp criticism within Sierra Leone. The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) condemned the episode as yet another embarrassment for the country under the current administration.
Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission and top government officials, including Information Minister Chernor Bah and Chief Minister David Sengeh, have not responded to requests for comment.