Freetown, Sierra Leone – May 11, 2025 – A recent investigation has uncovered that Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, and some of her close family members acquired more than $2 million worth of property in The Gambia over a two-year period, raising questions about the source of the funds, especially given the country’s ongoing economic struggles and the government’s stated war on corruption.
According to documents obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), between May 2022 and February 2024, Fatima Bio purchased at least four properties in Gambia, including villas and apartment buildings located in some of the country’s most upscale neighborhoods. Her mother also acquired a luxury villa worth over $500,000, while her two half-brothers either bought new land or began construction on old plots that had sat idle for decades.
The total expenditure by the First Lady’s family, based on sales records and property tax documents reviewed by OCCRP, exceeded $2.1 million. In addition to the property purchases, one of her half-brothers is reportedly developing a hotel in Gambia, further pushing up the overall investment.
These revelations come as President Julius Maada Bio, who came to power in 2018 promising to clamp down on corruption and misuse of public funds, faces renewed scrutiny over the financial conduct of his inner circle.
Fatima Bio, a former Nollywood actress, left her film career behind to focus on advocacy work after becoming First Lady. She launched international campaigns against sexual violence and child marriage — earning praise from some corners of the international community. However, the latest findings are likely to stir controversy at home, where many citizens continue to struggle with rising living costs and limited access to basic services.
The OCCRP investigation also linked a businessman named Alphonso Lakhmee King to several of the property deals. King, a known associate of the Bio family, witnessed at least three of the property transactions and reportedly paid stamp duties on one of the properties bought by Fatima Bio’s mother. Records show his company was among the top government contractors in 2019 and continues to win public contracts in Sierra Leone.
In a phone call with OCCRP reporters, King denied any involvement in the property acquisitions and refused to comment further on his business dealings with the government.
The Bio family, including President Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady, did not respond to questions regarding the origin of the funds used to make the purchases. OCCRP’s review of tax filings and public asset declarations revealed no indication of personal wealth or legitimate income streams that could support such large transactions.
Abdoul Mois Darboe, one of Fatima Bio’s half-brothers, claimed the projects were funded from his construction company’s profits, but his tax documents showed no signs of such earnings. The First Lady’s mother and another half-brother declined to comment.
President Bio, a former military leader who helped end Sierra Leone’s civil war, campaigned on a platform of good governance and transparency. But anti-corruption watchdogs like Transparency International have continued to rank Sierra Leone among countries struggling with systemic corruption, citing weak institutional oversight and limited transparency within the executive branch.
These property deals risk undermining public trust in the government’s reform agenda and could become a political flashpoint as the administration prepares for future elections.
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