Sierra Leone First Lady Fatima Bio is facing backlash after it was reported she continues to hold a taxpayer-funded council flat in central London while primarily residing in the presidential lodge in Freetown, Sierra Leone with her husband, President Julius Bio. Bio confirmed she still maintains the Southwark council property, saying her British children live there and that she personally covers the rent.
“My children are all British citizens,” Bio said, reports the BBC. “I'm paying for my council house myself. I have not committed any crime.”
The disclosure has triggered criticism in both the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, particularly as demand for public housing in London remains high. According to Southwark Council, more than 18,000 people are currently on the borough’s housing waiting list, with the authority warning that even applicants in urgent need can face waits lasting years.
In a statement, Southwark Council said it does not discuss individual tenancy arrangements publicly, but noted that “if there is doubt that tenants are meeting the obligations in their tenancy agreement, we carry out regular checks and investigations to determine that those obligations are being met”.
Bio’s path to public life began after leaving Sierra Leone as a teenager during the country’s civil war. She said she fled an arranged marriage and later sought asylum in Britain. “Better than being married to an old pervert,” she said when asked about her time as an asylum seeker in London.
She later added, “England was my amazing grace. I went to England, I got my voice. I got my independence, and then I was able to fight for myself. And now I can fight for as many young people as possible.” Bio has become one of Sierra Leone’s most prominent public figures, regularly speaking on women’s issues, child marriage, and girls’ education. She has also drawn criticism for her direct political involvement and outspoken public profile. “I have been an activist for far too long to be a calendar wife,” she said.
The first lady was also recently questioned over a video allegedly showing Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Chubby Jos,” appearing at a church service attended by Sierra Leone’s first family. When asked about the footage, which was later deleted, Bio denied knowing him. “I wouldn't know because I'm not a criminal,” she said. “I don't bring people into church. I'm not a Christian. I'm a Muslim. So I don't know who was in that church. You don't talk about what you don't know.”
“I'm not hungry to be president,” she said. “It'll have to be the will of God.”
“My children are all British citizens,” Bio said, reports the BBC. “I'm paying for my council house myself. I have not committed any crime.”
The disclosure has triggered criticism in both the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, particularly as demand for public housing in London remains high. According to Southwark Council, more than 18,000 people are currently on the borough’s housing waiting list, with the authority warning that even applicants in urgent need can face waits lasting years.
In a statement, Southwark Council said it does not discuss individual tenancy arrangements publicly, but noted that “if there is doubt that tenants are meeting the obligations in their tenancy agreement, we carry out regular checks and investigations to determine that those obligations are being met”.
Bio’s path to public life began after leaving Sierra Leone as a teenager during the country’s civil war. She said she fled an arranged marriage and later sought asylum in Britain. “Better than being married to an old pervert,” she said when asked about her time as an asylum seeker in London.
She later added, “England was my amazing grace. I went to England, I got my voice. I got my independence, and then I was able to fight for myself. And now I can fight for as many young people as possible.” Bio has become one of Sierra Leone’s most prominent public figures, regularly speaking on women’s issues, child marriage, and girls’ education. She has also drawn criticism for her direct political involvement and outspoken public profile. “I have been an activist for far too long to be a calendar wife,” she said.
The first lady was also recently questioned over a video allegedly showing Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, known as “Chubby Jos,” appearing at a church service attended by Sierra Leone’s first family. When asked about the footage, which was later deleted, Bio denied knowing him. “I wouldn't know because I'm not a criminal,” she said. “I don't bring people into church. I'm not a Christian. I'm a Muslim. So I don't know who was in that church. You don't talk about what you don't know.”
“I'm not hungry to be president,” she said. “It'll have to be the will of God.”
