Greed: The Culture Among African Politicians and Their Close Associates

What's Up Africa
Written By Theo Edwards
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

In the UK, the general rule states that owning a house anywhere in the world usually disqualifies you from being eligible for or retaining council housing, also referred to as social housing. This type of housing is designed to provide affordable accommodations for individuals in need who cannot afford private housing. Additionally, you must have a low income or limited savings to qualify.

President Bio and his wife, Fatima, met in London 13 years ago

Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbie-Bio, is currently renting a council flat in South London. According to a report from The Sunday Times of London published on May 10, 2025, she has become embroiled in a housing scandal in Southwark. This controversy comes at a time when 336,000 households are on the waiting list for accommodation in the capital. While living in a mansion in Freetown, Fatima Jabbie-Bio still retains the tenancy of her previous home in Southwark.

The video! London, GB News Network reported the news exclusively during its Morning Show Live broadcast.

This situation seems to violate council housing regulations, which stipulate that such a property must be the tenant's sole or principal residence.

Records show that Jabbe-Bio has registered to vote multiple times at a two-bedroom council flat in Southwark since 2009. Southwark Council has confirmed that the flat has had the same tenant since 2007, indicating that Jabbe-Bio is still renting the property despite owning a significant property portfolio in Africa.

Southwark Council told OCCRP that the resident currently residing at the address has been the tenant of the property since December 2007 to the current date, but declined to name that person for personal data protection reasons.

Most Read from YAME Digital: Sierra Leone Greed and Corruption:

Sierra Leone: A Reflection at 64

 

In the words of President Bio: "Because of Democratic Principles..."

“In his remarks to a group of Sierra Leoneans, President Bio stated, “Because of democratic principles, the time wae ar get, ar nor go able change this country.”

 
 
 

The Lunch Club provided a political perspective on the event surrounding the First Lady.

The First Lady, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, and her husband left London in 2018 when Julius Maada Bio became the president of Sierra Leone. Since then, the couple has lived in the presidential lodge in Freetown.

Summary Issue and Details

  • Flat Location: Southwark, south London
  • Tenancy Since: 2007
  • Current Residence: Presidential Lodge, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  • Other Properties: Multiple luxury properties in Africa (Gambia, etc.)
  • Council Flat Regulation: Must be the tenant’s primary residence
  • Alleged Breach: Retained tenancy while living abroad and owning other properties
  • Council Response: Conducts checks, does not comment on individuals
  • Public Reaction: Criticism due to housing shortages and perceived misuse of social housing

The First Lady’s continued tenancy of a London council flat, despite her high-profile status and wealth, is seen as potentially violating council housing rules and has fueled broader concerns about greed and misuse of public resources among political elites.

The Investigation

After Sierra Leone's President Took Office, His Wife and Her Family Went Real Estate Shopping.

Since Julius Maada Bio became Sierra Leone’s president in April 2018, his wife, Fatima Bio, and her close relatives have scooped up luxury properties in Gambia.

The Investigation

  • Since becoming Sierra Leone’s first lady: Fatima Bio has bought four properties in Gambia, while a $500,000 villa was purchased in her mother’s name
  • Fatima Bio’s half-brothers have also purchased Gambian properties: Bringing the relatives’ spending to a total of at least $2.1 million on at least ten real estate transactions carried out between 2020 and 2024
  • Documents show a top Sierra Leone government contractor signed key paperwork for three of the properties: Including the villa owned by the first lady’s mother
  • The first family did not respond to questions: About who paid for the real estate or the source of the funds
  • Tax records, employment history, asset ownership records, and other publicly available information: Suggest that Fatima Bio, her mother, and her half-brothers had modest means prior to her becoming first lady

She and three of her relatives seem to have gone on a shopping spree

Documents and sale records obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, OCCRP, reveal that between May 2022 and February 2024, Fatima Bio acquired two villas, an apartment building, and a flat in Gambia. Additionally, her mother is listed as the owner of a luxury villa purchased for half a million dollars during the same period.

Gambian Properties Purchased by Fatima Bio and Her Relatives Between 2020 and 2024

Beverly Hills of The Gambia - A villa registered in the name of Fatima Bio’s mother in the exclusive Gambian neighborhood of Brufut Heights

The building layered into multiple terraces, with an L-shaped pool, additional guesthouse, and spacious garden

The Gambian tax records indicate that Tidankay Darboe, Fatima Bio's mother, has not paid any taxes except for the stamp duty on her villa, which was covered by King, a Sierra Leone government contractor.

The unexplained accumulation of foreign property by the First Lady and her family

The source of funds for these purchases is unclear. Public records and tax documents do not show evidence of wealth or legitimate income streams sufficient to explain the acquisitions.

The lack of transparency and accountability highlighted by these property acquisitions points to broader institutional weaknesses in Sierra Leone, particularly in financial oversight, asset declaration, and public procurement.

While President Bio’s economic and anti-corruption policies aim to restore public trust and drive economic development, the First Lady’s actions have sparked public skepticism regarding the government’s commitment to these principles.

The First Lady's property portfolio, acquired under opaque circumstances and involving individuals with government contracts, raises serious questions about governance and the misuse of public resources in Sierra Leone.

YAME Digital
Footnote: There is no evidence from the available report that the housing scandal in London is a case of blackmail or extortion.  Some discussions in the media and among commentators mention the word ‘blackmail,’ but this is largely in the context of people accusing each other of trying to silence or extort, not as a substantiated fact about the scandal itself. The allegations remain focused on possible misuse of social housing and property ownership.

Please refresh the article for more information as it becomes available.

“The ongoing debate on X.”
— Source
 
 
“Journalist commentary”
— Source: @thomasd05987132
 
 

Investigative journalist Josef Skrdlik offers an exclusive look behind the scenes.

 
 
Theo Edwards

Theo Edwards has over twenty years of diverse Information Technology experience. He spent his days playing with all things IBMi, portal, mobile application, and enterprise business functional and architectural design.

Before joining IBM as Staff Software Engineer, Theo worked as a programmer analyst and application specialist for businesses hosting eCommerce suite on IBMi platform. He has been privileged to co-author numerous publications such as Technical Handbooks, White paper, Tutorials, Users Guides, and FAQs. Refer to manuals here. Theo also holds a degree in Computer Science, Business Administration and various certifications in information security and technologies. He considers himself a technophile since his engagement at Cable & Wireless then later known SLET.

https://yame.space/
Previous

Sierra Leone's Problems Are Compounded by Political Design
Next

Developing Situation at Kissi Teng as Heavily Armed Guinean Soldiers Occupy Border Point