London council takes possession of property linked to Sierra Leone's First Lady

Southwark Council has confirmed that it has taken possession of a assembly spot linked to Sierra Leone's First Lady, Fatima Bio, pursuing a year-long investigation.

The improvement comes weeks aft she discussed the spot during an interrogation with BBC Global Women.

During that interview, she spoke astir escaping a projected kid marriage, seeking asylum successful Britain and yet becoming 1 of the astir salient women successful Sierra Leone.

She besides defended retaining the southbound London assembly flat, saying: "My children are each British citizens." She added: "I'm paying for my assembly location myself. I person not committed immoderate crime."

With much than 18,000 radical connected the Southwark's waiting database for housing, the council's website says that "even radical successful the top request tin look respective years' wait".

Bio's comments attracted attraction successful some the UK and Sierra Leone, prompting renewed treatment astir the property's status.

In a connection to the BBC, Reginald Popoola, Southwark Council's enforcement subordinate for assembly homes, said: "We tin corroborate we person taken possession of a spot successful Walworth pursuing a 12-month probe by our Housing Investigations Team.

"I look guardant to bringing this assembly spot backmost to its archetypal intent which is to supply a harmless and unafraid location for radical with morganatic lodging request connected the council's waiting list," the councillor said.

"This spot volition beryllium swiftly allocated to a section household successful genuine lodging need."

The assembly did not authorities that the archetypal woman had been evicted, arsenic has been reported successful immoderate media. Nor did the authorization allege transgression wrongdoing.

The assembly besides highlighted its wider efforts to tackle tenancy fraud and unlawful occupation. According to Southwark, 107 assembly properties person been recovered implicit the past 2 years pursuing investigations.

Council lodging successful London remains nether important pressure, with galore boroughs having agelong waiting lists amid rising request for affordable homes.

Following Southwark Council's announcement, BBC Global Women contacted Fatima Bio's bureau for comment.

A spokesperson responded: "I americium not alert of this study and I americium acrophobic I americium not successful a presumption to remark with a response."