A London council has repossessed a social housing flat linked to Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Jabbe-Bio, after a year-long investigation into whether the property was being used in line with UK housing rules.

Southwark Council said it had recovered the two-bedroom flat in Walworth, south London, which Jabbe-Bio had reportedly held as a tenant since 2007.

The case attracted widespread attention in Sierra Leone and beyond after reports questioned whether the property remained her principal residence after her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, assumed office in 2018.

Under British regulations, council houses and flats are generally intended to serve as a tenant’s main home. British media reported that neighbours rarely saw Jabbe-Bio at the address, prompting scrutiny of the tenancy.

“We can confirm we have taken possession of a property in Walworth following a 12-month investigation by our housing investigations team,” said Reginald Popoola, Southwark Council’s executive member for council homes.

He said the property would now be allocated to a family on the council’s housing waiting list.

Jabbe-Bio has denied any wrongdoing. In an interview with the BBC last month, she defended keeping the flat, saying: “My children are all British citizens. I’m paying for my council house myself. I have not committed any crime.”

Southwark Council did not disclose the specific findings of its investigation, and there is no suggestion that the Sierra Leonean First Lady has been charged with any offence.

The development comes at a time when demand for social housing in London is at record levels.

More than 18,000 households are currently on Southwark’s waiting list for council housing, while thousands of others remain in temporary accommodation awaiting permanent homes.