London council seizes social housing flat rented by Sierra Leone first lady

A social housing flat rented by Sierra Leone’s first lady has been seized by a London council.

Southwark council confirmed it had repossessed the two-bedroom home in Walworth previously occupied by Fatima Jabbe-Bio, whose tenancy was reported by The Times last year.

Jabbe-Bio, who is married to Sierra Leone’s president, Julius Maada Bio, had been listed on the tenancy since 2007. She has divided her time between Sierra Leone and Britain since her husband was elected in 2018.

Housing rules state that council properties should ordinarily be a tenant’s principal residence. The Times investigation raised questions about whether the south London flat met that requirement after neighbours said they rarely saw Jabbe-Bio.

Announcing the recovery of the home, Reginald Popoola, Southwark’s executive member for council homes, said: “We can confirm we have taken possession of a property in Walworth following a 12-month investigation by our housing investigations team.”

He said the flat would be handed to a family on the waiting list. “I look forward to bringing this council property back to its original purpose, which is to provide a safe and secure home for people with legitimate housing need on the council’s waiting list,” he said.

The case drew widespread attention after reports that Jabbe-Bio had retained the tenancy despite living for much of the year in the presidential lodge in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

In an interview with the BBC last month, Jabbe-Bio defended keeping the flat, rejecting suggestions she had acted improperly. The former model and actor said: “My children are all British citizens. I’m paying for my council house myself. I have not committed any crime.”

There is no suggestion Jabbe-Bio has been charged with any offence.

The recovery of the property comes at a time of acute pressure on social housing in London, with growing waiting lists, rising homelessness and increasing demand for temporary accommodation.

In Southwark alone, more than 18,000 households are on the waiting list for social housing, council figures show. About 4,000 households are living in temporary accommodation while waiting for a permanent home.

Local authorities have stepped up efforts to tackle tenancy fraud and recover properties where tenancy agreements are being contravened. The council said it investigates all allegations of tenancy fraud and unlawful occupation and has recovered 107 properties over the past two years.