By christian.conteh@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Octea Limited, parent company of Koidu Limited has issued a formal notice of intended legal action against First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, accusing her of incitement, defamation and unlawful interference in the affairs of the company, which it says led to a complete shutdown of operations at the Koidu mine.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Office of the First Lady, Octea’s Acting General Counsel alleged that Madam Bio’s “unlawful, defamatory, and malicious” conduct had not only endangered public safety and investor confidence but had also triggered the collapse of a critical economic enterprise.
“Your actions, undertaken without formal legal authority, have triggered a crisis that now poses a direct threat to public order, lives, investor security, and Sierra Leone’s international standing,” the letter reads.
Octea claims that Madam Fatima Bio instigated an illegal strike at the Koidu site in Kono District, which violated the country’s Industrial Relations and Trade Union Act of 2023 and disregarded a Collective Bargaining Agreement in force until 2025. The company alleges that her involvement directly led to the evacuation of workers and the suspension of operations, pushing the mine into “care and maintenance” mode.
The company argues that the shutdown, triggered by what it calls the First Lady’s “incitement of unrest” has placed more than a thousand direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect livelihoods at risk. It also predicts significant losses in tax revenues, foreign exchange earnings, and regional economic activity. Octea defended its record, highlighting that Koidu Limited has contributed over US$173 million in taxes and royalties since 2003, spent US$320 million with local suppliers, and invested US$36 million in community development and resettlement projects. The company emphasized its role in improving local infrastructure, education, and health services in Kono District, including funding maternity hospitals, constructing schools, and supporting electricity supply through EDSA.
It cited the January 2025 Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI) report, which ranked Koidu as the top contributor to national extractive tax revenues, accounting for 31% of the sector’s total.
The notice outlines several legal claims the company intends to pursue:
Defamation: Octea accuses the First Lady of spreading false and unverified allegations about corruption and poor labour practices. The company insists that all wages are well above minimum standards, working conditions have been reviewed by government inspectors, and all diamond processing is done under state supervision.
Incitement and Threats to Safety: The letter claims Dr. Bio led and encouraged protests, blockades, and threats of violence, which led to the evacuation of staff and endangered lives and property. The company describes these actions as “reckless” and as having fostered an atmosphere conducive to unrest.
Fraudulent Misrepresentation: Octea alleges that her team distributed bags of rice under false pretenses, then used signed acknowledgments to fabricate mass resignations and severance claims.
Breach of Constitutional Order: Octea says the First Lady acted outside any formal role in government and violated due process, warning that her actions threaten Sierra Leone’s ability to attract foreign investment.
The company expressed frustration with what it called “government inaction,” claiming that relevant ministries were informed throughout the crisis but failed to intervene. It also criticised the lack of arrests or security guarantees despite reports of violence and sabotage at the mine site.
Octea now intends to seek redress through national, regional, and international courts, stating it will rely on “undisputable evidence” and avoid what it described as the First Lady’s preference for a “social media war.” The mine’s closure could have severe macroeconomic implications, the company warns. It predicts a sharp decline in foreign currency reserves, job losses across the mining supply chain, and increased scepticism from potential investors.
Octea also noted the technical and financial challenges of restarting operations, including reassembling a dispersed workforce, reactivating underground systems, and attracting fresh capital, challenges made steeper, it claims, by reputational damage caused by Mrs Bio’ actions.
As of publication, the Office of the First Lady had not publicly responded to the accusations. The matter is expected to escalate if formal legal proceedings are initiated. This development adds a complex legal and political layer to Sierra Leone’s investment climate, already strained by economic pressures and global industry volatility. CC/9/5/2025
