My Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project investigation into Sierra Leone first lady’s assets in The Gambia explained 👇

Her Excellency H. E. Fatima Maada Bio might want to read my investigation first – her apparent doubts would be answered. Besides, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project shared all the findings with her on April 16. She had weeks to respond but chose silence.

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project exposé in Sierra Leonean newspapers:

Fatima Bio’s unofficial spokesperson says Sierra Leone’s first lady is entitled to UK council housing – intended for those most in need – by virtue of being a British citizen. An insane defence. Will Her Excellency H. E. Fatima Maada Bio explain why she continues to rent a council flat?

Still dodging the questions. And no, H. E. Fatima Maada Bio, you weren’t given 24 hours to respond. The email you shared, dated 16 April, clearly shows you were asked to reply by 25 April – that’s nine days. In the end, you had over three weeks, as we only published on 10 May.

Journalist Josef Skrdlik exposed the luxury property portfolio of Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Bio — but despite the anger it triggered, Bio has said she owes “no explanation” about the real estate she and her family own. Now, Josef takes you behind the scenes of the story.

NEW: When the Dutch drug kingpin “Chubby” Jos Leijdekkers fled authorities in Europe, he landed in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he rebuilt his empire alongside the country’s ruling family, report Oliver Dunn and Josef Skrdlik for New Lines Magazine. newlinesmag.com/reportage/when…

President Barrow’s nephew is running a multi-million-dollar food importation business. The Republic investigation reveals his success stemmed from a gov’t joint venture that gave his companies easy access to finance, cheap dollars from state coffers & guarantees for loans. 👇🏿