Josef Skrdlik
@josefskrdlik.bsky.social
Journalist wandering around West Africa | Recently Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mali | MPhil @Cambridge_Uni
The piece, shedding new light on how Leijdekkers found himself in Sierra Leone and how he has operated there, can be read here:
When a Dutch Drug Kingpin Needed a New Base, Sierra Leone Welcomed Him With Open Arms
Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted men, quietly insinuated himself into the lives and businesses of the country’s elite
newlinesmag.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The piece, shedding new light on how Leijdekkers found himself in Sierra Leone and how he has operated there, can be read here:
Jabbe-Bio has been outspoken against child marriage and sexual violence.
Her activism has led to invitations to speak at prominent western universities and international forums, including Harvard and the UN General Assembly.
She was named 2024’s “First Lady of the Year”.
Her activism has led to invitations to speak at prominent western universities and international forums, including Harvard and the UN General Assembly.
She was named 2024’s “First Lady of the Year”.
May 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Jabbe-Bio has been outspoken against child marriage and sexual violence.
Her activism has led to invitations to speak at prominent western universities and international forums, including Harvard and the UN General Assembly.
She was named 2024’s “First Lady of the Year”.
Her activism has led to invitations to speak at prominent western universities and international forums, including Harvard and the UN General Assembly.
She was named 2024’s “First Lady of the Year”.
Meanwhile, the waiting list for London’s social housing is at its longest in a decade. As of April last year, 336,366 eligible households remain in the lurch.
Jabbe-Bio has not replied to a request for comment.
Jabbe-Bio has not replied to a request for comment.
May 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Meanwhile, the waiting list for London’s social housing is at its longest in a decade. As of April last year, 336,366 eligible households remain in the lurch.
Jabbe-Bio has not replied to a request for comment.
Jabbe-Bio has not replied to a request for comment.
The reason for her tenancy is unclear – Jabbe-Bio resides in Sierra Leone’s luxurious presidential lodge.
She also owns an extensive property portfolio in The Gambia, my investigation published with OCCRP revealed.
She also owns an extensive property portfolio in The Gambia, my investigation published with OCCRP revealed.
After Sierra Leone's President Took Office, His Wife and Her Family Went Real Estate Shopping
Since Julius Maada Bio became Sierra Leone’s president in April 2018, his wife Fatima Bio and her close relatives have scooped up luxury properties in Gambia.
www.occrp.org
May 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The reason for her tenancy is unclear – Jabbe-Bio resides in Sierra Leone’s luxurious presidential lodge.
She also owns an extensive property portfolio in The Gambia, my investigation published with OCCRP revealed.
She also owns an extensive property portfolio in The Gambia, my investigation published with OCCRP revealed.
Jabbe-Bio was registered to vote at the address several times since 2009 and still receives post there. The council confirmed the flat has had the same tenant since 2007.
A neighbour said she visited the property last year accompanied by an official delegation.
A neighbour said she visited the property last year accompanied by an official delegation.
May 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Jabbe-Bio was registered to vote at the address several times since 2009 and still receives post there. The council confirmed the flat has had the same tenant since 2007.
A neighbour said she visited the property last year accompanied by an official delegation.
A neighbour said she visited the property last year accompanied by an official delegation.
My other story, with Oliver Dunn for The Times, reveals the first lady continues to rent her London council flat – despite living in the luxury of the presidential lodge in Freetown.
Meanwhile, London’s social housing waiting list has hit a 10-year high.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Meanwhile, London’s social housing waiting list has hit a 10-year high.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Sierra Leone’s first lady rents a council flat in south London
As 336,000 households wait for accommodation in the capital, Fatima Jabbe-Bio retains tenancy of her old home in Southwark while living in a Freetown mansion
www.thetimes.com
May 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
My other story, with Oliver Dunn for The Times, reveals the first lady continues to rent her London council flat – despite living in the luxury of the presidential lodge in Freetown.
Meanwhile, London’s social housing waiting list has hit a 10-year high.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Meanwhile, London’s social housing waiting list has hit a 10-year high.
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Three of the properties were bought with the help of Alphonso King, a top government contractor in Freetown.
King signed key paperwork and also paid stamp duty on a villa bought by Jabbe-Bio’s mother.
He is frequently seen alongside the first lady in official settings.
King signed key paperwork and also paid stamp duty on a villa bought by Jabbe-Bio’s mother.
He is frequently seen alongside the first lady in official settings.
May 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Three of the properties were bought with the help of Alphonso King, a top government contractor in Freetown.
King signed key paperwork and also paid stamp duty on a villa bought by Jabbe-Bio’s mother.
He is frequently seen alongside the first lady in official settings.
King signed key paperwork and also paid stamp duty on a villa bought by Jabbe-Bio’s mother.
He is frequently seen alongside the first lady in official settings.
The money spent was just over $2.1 million, excluding construction costs, but some of the purchase prices appear heavily understated.
This villa, for example, sold in 2024 for less than the empty plot of land it sits on did in 2012.
This villa, for example, sold in 2024 for less than the empty plot of land it sits on did in 2012.
May 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The money spent was just over $2.1 million, excluding construction costs, but some of the purchase prices appear heavily understated.
This villa, for example, sold in 2024 for less than the empty plot of land it sits on did in 2012.
This villa, for example, sold in 2024 for less than the empty plot of land it sits on did in 2012.
Before coming to power, the presidential couple lived a modest life in social housing in south London.
They haven’t answered questions about the source of the funds used for the property acquisitions.
They haven’t answered questions about the source of the funds used for the property acquisitions.
May 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Before coming to power, the presidential couple lived a modest life in social housing in south London.
They haven’t answered questions about the source of the funds used for the property acquisitions.
They haven’t answered questions about the source of the funds used for the property acquisitions.
From 2020 to 2024, the first lady, her elderly mother and half-brothers bought at least 10 properties, including villas, luxury apartments and a four-storey apartment building.
One of the half-brothers is also constructing a 70-bedroom hotel.
One of the half-brothers is also constructing a 70-bedroom hotel.
May 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
From 2020 to 2024, the first lady, her elderly mother and half-brothers bought at least 10 properties, including villas, luxury apartments and a four-storey apartment building.
One of the half-brothers is also constructing a 70-bedroom hotel.
One of the half-brothers is also constructing a 70-bedroom hotel.
The story also uncovers the daughter’s exposure to the UN Security Council in New York and expensive property purchases in the US by Bolle Jos's alleged right-hand man. @africa-confidential.com
February 7, 2025 at 7:11 PM
The story also uncovers the daughter’s exposure to the UN Security Council in New York and expensive property purchases in the US by Bolle Jos's alleged right-hand man. @africa-confidential.com