In a significant legal development, the legal team representing Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone, has filed a formal notice with the Registrar of Companies in Guernsey, aiming to prevent Octea Limited, a company incorporated in Guernsey and parent to Koidu Limited, from dissolving its operations without addressing serious allegations of human rights abuses at its Sierra Leonean mine.
The legal notice, submitted by Tejan-Cole Yillah and Partners, outlines intentions to initiate lawsuits against Octea Limited, focusing on claims of inhumane treatment of workers at Koidu Limited.
Allegations include unsafe working conditions, lack of access to clean drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and instances of severe injuries and fatalities linked to the company’s operations.
The legal team emphasizes the urgency of their request, expressing concern that Octea Limited may attempt to file for bankruptcy or seek removal from the Guernsey register, actions that could impede justice for affected workers.
They assert that Guernsey, while not a UN member, is bound by the United Kingdom’s ratifications of international human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights, underscoring the importance of human rights protections in legal proceedings against companies operating within its jurisdiction.
This legal action follows a series of events, including a peaceful protest in March 2025, where Dr. Fatima Maada Bio joined Koidu Limited workers in advocating for improved working conditions, fair wages, and better services.
The First Lady’s involvement highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing labor rights and corporate accountability in Sierra Leone’s mining sector.
In response, Koidu Limited and Octea Limited have threatened legal action against the First Lady, accusing her of unlawful interference, defamation, and incitement, and demanding a public retraction and a $20 million payment to resume operations. The companies claim that her actions have caused significant financial harm and jeopardized investor confidence in Sierra Leone.
The situation remains tense as both parties prepare for potential legal battles in multiple jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. The outcome of these proceedings could have far-reaching implications for corporate responsibility and human rights enforcement in the global mining industry.
