London council seizes property linked to Sierra Leone First Lady Fatima Bio
Southwark Council in south London took possession of a property linked to Sierra Leone First Lady Fatima Bio. The seizure followed a county court order and months of unpaid management fees by the listed owners.
A Southwark Council spokesperson told the BBC: "Following the County Court order we have brought the property under our management; the full legal process has been completed". The property was held by a UK limited company registered to Bio's nephew.
Transparency International Sierra Leone director Lavina Banduah told the BBC: "We lack the institutional capacity for overseas asset tracing; coordination with UK authorities needs to be strengthened". The First Lady's office has not commented on the case.
UK National Crime Agency spokesperson Sarah Thompson said: "We have opened a preliminary review for an Unexplained Wealth Order on the property". Sierra Leone Finance Ministry spokesperson Mohamed Bockarie said the property is "a private family investment". Not investment advice.
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