Opposition politician and social commentator, Dr. Sylvia Blyden, has dismissed allegations that Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, is familiar with Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious drug dealer reportedly residing in Sierra Leone.

In a Facebook post on January 28, 2025, Blyden said that the First Lady does not know Leijdekkers, who is wanted by Dutch authorities for smuggling over seven tonnes of cocaine.

Blyden specifically addressed claims that Leijdekkers was seen at a church service with Fatima Bio’s step-daughter, Agnes Bio, adding that the First Lady was never introduced to him.

“I can CONFIRM that my sister, H.E. First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio does not know the White man who was seated next to her step-daughter Agnes Bio in Church. H.E. Fatima was NOT introduced to that White Man by Agnes Bio, her step-daughter, or by anyone else that day,” Blyden wrote.

She further clarified that it is not uncommon for Agnes to not introduce her associates to the First Lady. “Fatima ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT KNOW who the White Man is nor has she ever socialized with him in her entire life,” she added.

Blyden also refuted claims regarding Fatima’s presence at a recent Tihun Rice Harvesting event, where Agnes Bio appeared in a video with her father, President Julius Maada Bio. According to Blyden, Fatima was attending a panel discussion at the British Parliament at the time.

The controversy surrounding Leijdekkers stems from a video posted by the First Lady on social media, showing her at the church service with her husband, President Bio. In the video, Leijdekkers was allegedly seen among the congregation.

Leijdekkers, 33, was sentenced to 24 years in prison in absentia by a Rotterdam court in June 2024 for his involvement in smuggling cocaine.

Dutch authorities have made his capture a top priority, and a reward of $210,000 has been offered for information leading to his arrest. Leijdekkers is listed as one of Europol’s most-wanted fugitives.