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Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, is under scrutiny for maintaining a tenancy in a Southwark council flat despite owning multiple luxury properties in Africa.
Public records show she has been registered at the two-bedroom flat since 2009, with tenancy records dating back to 2007. UK social housing rules require such properties to be a tenant’s primary residence, raising concerns about potential violations.
Jabbe-Bio, a former actress, moved to Sierra Leone in 2018 after her husband, Julius Maada Bio, became president. The couple now lives in a high-end presidential compound in Freetown, which includes a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a helipad. Despite this, neighbors report seeing her at the Southwark flat as recently as late 2024, and her daughter has been spotted collecting mail addressed to the First Family.
The controversy comes as London grapples with a severe housing shortage. Southwark alone has over 18,000 households on its waiting list, with an average wait of more than five years for a three-bedroom council home. A two-bedroom council flat in the borough rents for around £560 per month—far below market rates.
Southwark Council declined to comment on individual cases but stated that tenants must adhere to housing agreements. A spokesperson said compliance checks are conducted when necessary.
Jabbe-Bio has been recognized globally for her activism against child marriage and gender-based violence, speaking at venues like Harvard and the UN. She was named “First Lady of the Year” at the 2024 London Political Summit.
Meanwhile, the First Family faces separate allegations of ties to Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, who was seen near them at a public event. Leijdekkers reportedly shifted his cocaine operations to Sierra Leone and is linked to President Bio’s associates.
Authorities are now examining whether Jabbe-Bio’s council tenancy complies with UK housing laws amid broader questions about social housing fairness.
