Southwark Council has confirmed it has taken possession of a local council property linked to Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, following a year-long investigation.
The repossession comes just weeks after the First Lady defended retaining the south London flat during an interview with BBC Global Women. In that interview, she discussed escaping a proposed child marriage, seeking asylum in Britain, and her rise to prominence in Sierra Leone, while also addressing her decision to keep the council property.
Her comments drew intense public scrutiny in both the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, leading to renewed questions over the status of the flat. Facing a housing waiting list of more than 18 000 people, Southwark Council stated that the property has now been repossessed and will soon be allocated to individuals with a legitimate housing need.
–ChannelAfrica–
