By Alusine Sesay
Freetown, June 10, 2026: Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Bio has rejected reports that she was “evicted” from her London home, describing the story as “stale news” and politically motivated.
Posting on her Facebook page, Mrs. Bio wrote: “How do you evict a person who doesn’t even live in the property? The termination of the tenancy was entirely consensual; both parties agreed and signed off on it. This is stale news. First, it was the Bondo society narrative, now it’s a fake eviction, so what is next? APC, allow me to breathe! Like HE Tinubu says: ‘This is my time.’”
Her comments follow confirmation from Southwark Council in London that it has repossessed her two‑bedroom council flat in Walworth after a year‑long investigation. The council said the property, which she had occupied for more than a decade before relocating to Sierra Leone in 2018, was no longer her principal residence and would be reallocated to families in need of housing.
UK officials and housing campaigners have criticized her retention of the taxpayer‑subsidised flat, noting that more than 18,000 households remain on Southwark’s waiting list.
Mrs. Bio insisted that the tenancy termination was consensual and did not compromise her integrity, stressing that she had “not committed any crime.” She linked the controversy to political attacks from opponents, saying she remained focused on her role as First Lady.
The repossession has sparked debate in both Sierra Leone and the UK, with critics pointing to issues of privilege and accountability, while supporters argue that the matter has been exaggerated for political gain.