London Council Repossesses Sierra Leone First Lady’s Social Housing Flat, Set to Allocate Property to Family in Need

Nigerian-Briton Popoola, Council’s Exco Member, Confirms Seizure
In a country where the law applies equally to everyone, a London council has repossessed a social housing flat rented by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbe-Bio.

Southwark Council confirmed that it had taken possession of the two-bedroom property in Walworth previously occupied by Jabbe-Bio, whose tenancy was first reported by The Times last year.
Council figures indicate that more than 18,000 households are currently on the waiting list for social housing in Southwark alone, while approximately 4,000 households remain in temporary accommodation pending access to permanent housing.
Jabbe-Bio, wife of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, had been listed as the tenant of the property since 2007. Since her husband assumed office in 2018, she has split her time between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Housing regulations require council properties to serve as a tenant’s primary residence. However, an investigation by The Times raised concerns over whether the Walworth flat met that requirement after neighbours reportedly said they rarely saw Jabbe-Bio at the property.
Confirming the repossession, Southwark Council’s Executive Member for Council Homes, Reginald Popoola, stated:
“We can confirm we have taken possession of a property in Walworth following a 12-month investigation by our housing investigations team.”
He added that the property would now be reassigned to a family currently on the council’s 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 matter attracted considerable public attention following reports that Jabbe-Bio maintained the tenancy despite spending much of the year at the presidential lodge in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city.
Speaking to the BBC last month, the former model and actress defended her decision to retain the flat and rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
“My children are all British citizens. I’m paying for my Council house myself. I have not committed any crime,” she said.
There has been no indication that Jabbe-Bio has been charged with any offence.
The repossession comes at a time when London is facing significant pressure on social housing, with increasing waiting lists, rising homelessness and growing demand for temporary accommodation.
Local authorities have intensified efforts to combat tenancy fraud and recover council properties where tenancy agreements have been breached.
According to the council, all allegations relating to tenancy fraud and unlawful occupation are investigated, and 107 properties have been recovered over the past two years.
Southwark Council, however, did not disclose the specific findings of its investigation into Jabbe-Bio’s tenancy.