Southwark Council has evicted Fatima Bio, the wife of Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, from a council flat in South London. The move follows reports highlighting that she retained the subsidised tenancy while residing primarily in the presidential palace in Freetown.
Council housing in the UK is intended to support individuals and families with genuine housing needs, typically those on low incomes, with the requirement that the property serves as the tenant’s primary residence. Southwark Council has stated it investigates cases where there may be doubts about tenants meeting their obligations but does not comment on individual tenancies.
Background
Bio, a former Nollywood actress and model, moved to the UK in the early 2000s after seeking asylum during Sierra Leone’s civil war. She was allocated the two-bedroom flat in Southwark in 2007 and lived there until her husband’s election as president in 2018. Records indicate she remained the named tenant thereafter, with her British-citizen children residing in the property.
A joint investigation by The Times and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), published in May 2025, examined her property holdings. It reported that Fatima Bio and family members acquired multiple high-value properties in The Gambia after 2018, with a combined value exceeding $2 million. The probe raised questions about the sources of funds for these acquisitions.
In a BBC interview, the First Lady confirmed she had kept the London flat for her children. She stated: “My children are all British citizens… I’m paying for my council house myself. I have not committed any crime.” She declined to directly address details of the Gambian properties.
Council Action and Reactions
Southwark Council took possession of the property following the media reports and public scrutiny. The flat is expected to be reallocated to households on the borough’s social housing waiting list, which exceeds 18,000 applicants.
UK lawmaker Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, previously called for an investigation into whether residency rules had been followed. The case has prompted broader discussion about monitoring of social housing tenancies, particularly for individuals who spend significant time abroad or have substantial assets elsewhere.
Bio has spoken publicly about her personal history, including escaping a forced child marriage as a teenager, and her work as First Lady advocating against child marriage and gender-based violence in Sierra Leone. Supporters highlight her resilience and contributions in these areas, while critics question the appropriateness of retaining subsidised housing given her circumstances.
The eviction was reported on or around 10 June 2026. Southwark Council has not released further details on the timeline or process.
