Arabic version: مجلس ساوثوارك يستولي على ممتلكات مرتبطة بسيدة ليبيريا الأولى

According to BBC News,

Southwark Council has confirmed that it has taken possession of a council property linked to Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Bio, following a year-long investigation. This action comes shortly after Bio discussed the property in an interview with BBC Global Women, where she shared her experiences of escaping child marriage and seeking asylum in the UK.

Bio defended her occupancy of the south London council flat, stating, “My children are all British citizens,” and emphasized that she has not committed any crime. She claimed to be paying for the council house herself, which has drawn public attention in both the UK and Sierra Leone.

Reginald Popoola, Southwark Council’s executive member for council homes, announced the decision to reclaim the property in Walworth, expressing the council’s intent to allocate it to a family in genuine housing need. The council did not state that the first lady had been evicted, as has been reported in some media, nor did the authority allege criminal wrongdoing.

The council highlighted its ongoing efforts to combat tenancy fraud, having recovered 107 council properties over the past two years. With more than 18,000 people on the Southwark’s waiting list for housing, the council aims to ensure that available properties serve their original purpose of providing secure homes for those in need. Following the announcement, Bio’s office was contacted for a comment but stated they were unaware of the report and could not provide a response.