By Joseph Momoh, Reporter D.S
Octéa Limited, the parent company of Koidu Limited, has issued a formal threat of legal action against Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio. The company accuses Dr. Bio of unlawful interference, defamation, and incitement, claiming her actions have caused significant financial and reputational harm to both the company and the nation.
In a letter dated May 6, 2025, addressed to the Office of the First Lady, Octéa’s Acting General Counsel and Director alleged that Dr. Bio’s public conduct, including promoting strikes and making false statements, has created a crisis posing a direct threat to public order, safety, investor security, and Sierra Leone’s international reputation.
Octéa emphasized Koidu Limited’s substantial contributions to Sierra Leone since its inception in 2003, including US$173 million in taxes and royalties, US$320 million spent with local suppliers, US$21 million in resettlement funding, and US$15 million in community development projects. The company claims to have directly employed over 1,000 Sierra Leoneans, supporting more than 10,000 additional jobs, making it one of the largest private employers in the country. The 2025 Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI) report confirms Koidu’s status as the highest tax contributor in the extractive sector, in full compliance with national labor regulations.
The company has accused Dr. Bio of inciting illegal strike actions that violate the Industrial Relations & Trade Union Act 2023 and the Collective Bargaining Agreement 2022–2025. Octéa argued that her involvement in labor matters overstepped legal boundaries, especially as she lacks formal authority to represent Koidu workers.
The letter states, “You publicly stated that you ‘controlled’ our workforce and that only you can tell them to return to work,” describing this assertion as both unlawful and destabilizing. The company refuted Dr. Bio’s allegations regarding poor working conditions, asserting that these concerns had been addressed through inspections and that wages and allowances had been significantly increased. It noted that its lowest-paid workers earn more than three times the national minimum wage and that comprehensive health and welfare benefits are provided to employees and their families.
Octéa expressed particular concern over Dr. Bio’s alleged misrepresentation of the company’s operations and her use of hearsay evidence, as well as public insinuations of corruption, which it claims are unfounded and contrary to findings by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The company also accused the First Lady’s team of fraudulently collecting workers’ signatures under the guise of distributing rice, then using those signatures to falsely claim mass resignations and demand end-of-service payments.
Most alarmingly, Octéa highlighted Dr. Bio’s suggestion that Koidu should “close the mine and leave Kono” if it did not meet her demands. The company asserts that threats to blockade and storm the mine site have escalated tensions, mirroring past unrest that has resulted in violence and fatalities.
“Your continued incitement of hostility and provocation of unrest presents a clear and immediate threat to life and safety,” the letter emphasized.
Octéa indicated that it would pursue legal action if the situation is not resolved and called on the First Lady to cease all engagement with Koidu personnel and operations, insisting that all interactions must go through legally recognized institutions.
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