Investigative Journalist Narrates How He Discovered First Lady Fatima Bio’s Luxury Mansions in Gambia

In a recent social media video produced by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), renowned investigative journalist Josef Skrdlik shares his compelling behind-the-scenes journey that culminated in the exposure of Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, and her acquisition of luxury mansions in Gambia.

At the outset of the video, Skrdlik reflects on his extensive career as a journalist dedicated to uncovering corruption across various sectors. He notes that the investigation began early last year during a phone conversation with a friend in Gambia. Among the topics they discussed, Skrdlik inquired about rumors regarding the First Lady’s purchase of multiple properties in the country.

“My friend told me he hadn’t heard anything about it,” Skrdlik recounted.

However, a few months later, his friend reached out again with intriguing news. “I just saw a crowd welcoming the First Lady of Sierra Leone upon her arrival in Gambia,” he said. Following the crowd, he discovered that they were headed to a luxury villa where both the President and the First Lady entered. Curious, he asked local residents about the situation, and they informed him that the First Lady was indeed the owner of that villa, as well as another substantial property nearby.

This revelation sparked Skrdlik’s determination to investigate further, prompting him to travel to Gambia to pursue what he recognized as a significant lead. He dedicated nearly a year to the investigation, meticulously gathering evidence that included sales documents for the properties in question, which either listed the First Lady’s name or that of her family members, as well as tax records and land ownership documentation.

To ensure the credibility of his findings, Skrdlik emphasized that his story underwent rigorous scrutiny, being reviewed by five independent editors and subjected to thorough fact-checking processes. This commitment to journalistic integrity underscores the importance of accountability in reporting on issues of corruption and governance. He stated that every claim presented in the story was meticulously examined. He emphasized that the First Lady’s assertion that he was sent by Koidu Holdings Limited was particularly weak, especially considering that the narrative began long before any dispute arose between her and the mining company.

At the conclusion of the video, Skrdlik pointed out that the First Lady has not denied ownership of the properties in question, nor has she provided any clarification regarding the source of the funds used for their acquisition.

“I find it significant that the First Lady has not definitively denied owning these properties, and she has yet to explain the origin of the funds used to purchase them,” he concluded.