The battle is drawn between… Fatima Bio Vs. Octea Mining Limited …Who’ll Succumb to the Demand?
By VOS WriterThe stage has now been set for potential legal battles between Fatima Bio and Octea Mining Company. In their distinct letters, the two Conflicting Parties demanded millions of dollars each as damages.
The Octea Mining Company, in a letter dated 6th May,2025, accused Fatima Bio of interference, incitement and threatened to pursue legal action against her for disturbing the operation of the company with “illegal strike” action.
Gustaf Fredrik stated that the First Lady action has posed a threat to the safety and security of the company, prompting them to resort into ‘care and maintenance’. “Your instigated protests, threatened to barricade the company, blockade our expatriate employees and storm the Koidu mine site whilst you were surrounded by armed military personnel. This undertone was a dangerous, particularly following similar incidents in 2007 and 2002 at Koidu mine site of a violent strike, storming and riots that resulted in fatalities following”, the letter states.
In light of the foregoing, the company demands $20M to restart operations so the dismissed or terminated employees can resume their duties immediately and their entitlement to End of Services benefits reinstated.
On the other hand, the First Lady through her legal Team, Tejan Cole and Yillah Associates, responded to the Octea Mining Limited letter, describing it as provocative and designed to deliberately ridicule and causing disaffection to the First Lady.
In a letter dated 13th May 2025, the legal team of the First Lady states that:
1. “That you issue a formal apology to our client, considering that the pack of misleading statements made against our client contained in your letter would create public disaffection for her; and that you circulate the said apology widely.”
2. “That you and your said companies pay damages for defaming our client in the sum of US$50 million to the National Revenue Authority of Sierra Leone within one week of receiving this letter.”
3. “Failing which, our instruction is to institute legal proceedings against you and your companies in Sierra Leone, and simultaneously instruct Solicitors in Guernsey to do the same to ensure that our client’s demands are met.”
To crown it all, the two conflicting letters (i.e.the First Lady & OCTEA Mining Koidu Ltd). has set the stage for potential legal battles if any of the demands are not met.
However, SierraLeoneans are patiently awaiting to see who among the two parties is going to succumb to the other.
