“I Am The One Paying Her School Fees” – First Lady Fatima Bio Speaks on Relationship With Edwina Jamiru

Dr Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of OAFLAD, has publicly addressed ongoing concerns involving Ms. Edwina Hawa Jamiru, emphasising her role in supporting the law student’s education while denouncing irresponsible conduct.

Speaking in an interview on AYV Television’s “Wake Up Sierra Leone, Dr. Bio confirmed that she has been personally financing Ms Jamiru’s school fees after the young woman expressed a desire to become a lawyer.

“I am the one paying the school fees for Edwina Jamiru. She told me she wanted to be a lawyer, and I’m helping her with her school fees,” the First Lady stated. However, Dr Bio made clear that her support was intended to empower Ms Jamiru to become a better person, not to excuse alleged misconduct.

“I am not paying your school fees to do the things that you are doing … so why did you want to drag me into it?” she asked during the live broadcast.

Her comments come amid heightened public attention on Ms Jamiru, a law student at Fourah Bay College, who has been involved in a series of controversies since 2025.

These include a high-profile paternity dispute with a senior judge that saw Sierra Leone’s High Court order DNA testing to determine the father of her child. Subsequent media reports indicated that the DNA results confirmed paternity and led to a court order for child support.

Alongside the paternity issue, Ms. Jamiru has also experienced police detention for alleged cyber-related offenses. Authorities described these allegations as stalking and harassment, although specific details about the complainant have not been publicly confirmed.

Dr Bio’s intervention highlights the tension between her advocacy for educational opportunity and the complex personal and legal challenges surrounding Ms Jamiru. In her remarks, the First Lady reiterated her commitment to education and personal conduct standards, underscoring that her financial support is meant to advance Ms Jamiru’s career aspirations and not shield her from accountability or controversy.