A major legal and public relations showdown is brewing in Sierra Leone as lawyers representing First Lady, Dr. Fatima Bio, have initiated a lawsuit against Koidu Holdings, a subsidiary of the Guernsey-registered Octea Mining. The dispute escalated following a letter from Koidu Holdings, dated May 7, 2025, addressed to Dr. Fatima Bio with copies tendered to the President of the republic of Sierra Leone (husband of Fatima Bio) and several ministers.
The First Lady's legal team, led by Abdul Tejan-Cole and Co., views the public dissemination of the aforementioned letter from Koidu holdings, particularly through social media, as a deliberate ploy to brew "public outcry, disaffection and to subject the first lady to national and international opprobrium and ridicule." They assert that this act is contrary to Guernsey laws, as per the common laws of England.
In a 12-page response, Dr. Fatima Bio's lawyers have issued a stern ultimatum to Koidu Holdings: issue a public apology and pay $50 million to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) for defamation within seven days. The legal representative for the first lady affirms failure to comply will result in full legal pursuit and complaints lodged with international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The lawyers have also highlighted the potential for a boycott of all Koidu Holdings' diamond products on grounds of human rights violations, which could severely impact the financial standing of the parent company, Octea Mining.
Allegations and Counter-Allegations
Koidu Holdings' letter reportedly contained several "unfounded claims" against the First Lady, including purported investigations by Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into her office for misuse of public funds and the alleged amassing of wealth from her office or charitable funds for personal gains, such as shopping, travel, and accommodation. Koidu Holdings also reportedly threatened to pursue national and international asset tracing to freeze assets held by the First Lady, including those by associated proxies, nominees, and trusts, both in Sierra Leone and offshore.
However, Dr. Fatima Bio vehemently denies these allegations through her lawyers. However, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has published a report titled "After Sierra Leone’s President Took Office, His Wife and Her Family Went Real Estate Shopping" which reportedly presents evidence that speaks otherwise. The report can be found here.
Koidu Holdings further accused the First Lady of being involved in instigating or negotiating worker strikes without legal standing, arguing she is neither a union representative nor an elected or appointed government official. Dr. Bio's lawyers have countered this, providing transcripts that allegedly show Koidu Holdings initially approached her office to resolve an impasse with employees and the government regarding owed taxes and worker conditions.
The legal battle also brings to light alleged discrepancies in Koidu Holdings' employment practices and financial transparency. It is suggested that the company failed to adhere to contracted salary scales, reportedly using a two-decade-old exchange rate for a basic salary of $1,350, which does not reflect current values. Furthermore, questions remain regarding the full payment of workers' Social Security contributions (NASSIT) and corporate taxes, with concerns surrounding the sincerity, clarity of declared profits and dividends paid to shareholders for appropriate taxation owed to the Sierra Leonean government.
OCCRP's Credibility on Corruption Findings
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is widely regarded as a credible and influential global network of investigative journalists. Specializing in organized crime and corruption, OCCRP has a strong track record of exposing illicit activities worldwide. It has received numerous accolades, including the Global Shining Light Award Citation of Excellence for its investigative work, and is supported by various reputable foundations and governments, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.
OCCRP's investigations have frequently led to tangible outcomes, such as official investigations, indictments, and the recovery of billions in illicit gains. While the organization has faced criticism, particularly from states or leaders it has investigated (such as being labeled an "undesirable organization" in Russia or being criticized by right-of-center political figures), its overall reputation within the journalistic community is that of a rigorous and impactful investigative body committed to transparency and accountability. Their work is often a critical source of information in understanding complex cross-border corruption cases. While OCCRP has a good reputation, all findings must be considered with scrutiny, and the legal battle between the first lady and Koidu holdings may reveal additional evidence. In our colloquialism we say, "una dea dror beef na bush kam na torn".
The unfolding legal and political drama highlights significant challenges in governance, transparency, corporate accountability, and labor relations within Sierra Leone's mining sector. The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for all parties involved and for the country's international standing too in terms of business investment.