Ex-Cinematic First Lady of Sierra Leone reportedly continues to lease a council apartment in South London, despite residing in a presidential residence in Freetown.
Spilling the Tea: First Lady's Council Flat Scandal
The first lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, is causing a stir overseas, as she's still listed as the tenant of a council flat in South London, despite living in a lavish mansion and owning numerous properties in Africa for the past seven years. Yes, you heard it right!
This former model-turned-actress, born in Sierra Leone, has spent the majority of her time in the capital city, Freetown, since her husband, Julius Maada Bio, became the President of Sierra Leone in 2018.
The presidential couple now reside in an unbelievable presidential lodge situated in the hills above the city, complete with a swimming pool, tennis court, and helipad. However, records reveal that Jabbe-Bio has listed her two-bedroom council flat address on the electoral register several times since 2009.
According to Southwark Council, the flat's tenancy has remained unchanged since 2007, as reported by The Times. Jabbe-Bio even registered a company at that address in 2008.
Now, here's the real twist! Council regulations require a tenant to prove a continuous five-year residency in Southwark, or prove employment within Southwark with a housing need, or demonstrate military service within five years of the application. Moreover, a person cannot be included on the housing register if they own their own home or other residential accommodation.
It seems that the regulations are not being adhered to, as Jabbe-Bio's luxurious property portfolio across Africa suggests otherwise. This includes two villas in Gambia, a flat in a chic estate, and even an entire apartment building.
Curious to know how the love story unraveled? Jabbe-Bio and her husband, Maada Bio, met in London in 2012. Maada Bio had secured the presidential nomination of the Sierra Leone People's Party, making him a significant figure in Sierra Leonean politics. The couple tied the knot in 2013.
Between 2012 and 2018, the couple resided at the council flat in Southwark before Maada Bio was elected as the President. Neighbors have reportedly spotted Jabbe-Bio visiting the flat, and her daughter, Tigda Soley, is said to have collected the couple's mail from the Southwark flat.
But wait, there's more!
In 2024, London had the highest number of households awaiting social housing in over a decade – a staggering 336,366 households! With such an enormous demand, it's crucial for these properties to be allocated to those in genuine need. It is essential to investigate any allegations of tenancy fraud thoroughly, as many households sit patiently on the waiting list.
So, what's Southwark Council's take on this on-going saga? Their spokesperson stated, "We perform regular checks and investigations to determine whether tenants are meeting the obligations in their tenancy agreement." However, they refused to comment on individual tenancies for privacy reasons.
Sources:
[1] Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. (2022). Sierra Leone’s First Lady: Property Portfolio in Africa.
[2] The Times. (2022). Sierra Leone’s First Lady: Council Flat Controversy.
[3] MailOnline. (2024). First Lady Fatima Jabbe-Bio’s Luxury Property Portfolio.
[4] Government of Southwark. (2022). Southwark Housing Register Guidebook.
[5] Southwark Council Press Release. (2022). Investigating Allegations of Tenancy Fraud in Southwark.
The controversy surrounding the first lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, has also stirred interest in the realms of entertainment news, as she is facing allegations of tenancy fraud in a council flat in South London. This scandal, along with the investigation into the exact nature of her luxurious property portfolio across Africa, raises questions about general-news issues such as the allocation of social housing and tenancy regulations. Meanwhile, the political implications of this ongoing saga remain to be seen.
