By Abubakar Yunusa
A group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) APC Young Leaders Forum (APC-YLF) has raised concerns over alleged corruption in the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA.
The group also alleged that the reason why corruption in the NPA has not been prosecuted is that the culprit is being shielded by a higher authority.
The group made the disclosure in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Usman Aminu.
According to the them, the corruption going on in NPA has dwarfed the economy, causing critical stakeholders in the sector to lose confidence in the system, and deterring foreign direct investors from having confidence in Nigeria.
The group therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately sack the NPA MD and recommend his prosecution.
“On October 3rd 2021, the whole world woke up to the scandalous publication of over 11 million leaked documents by the International consortium of investigative journalists involving world politicians, Business leaders and heads of sensitive agencies across different countries of the world.
“On October 6th 2021, the famous online paper Premium-times provided detailed analysis on offshore companies and properties run by the NPA head Bello Koko titled “Inside the Secret offshore companies, London properties of NPA Chief, Bello-Koko.
“According to premium Times investigation, Bello Koko “is involved in offshore shenanigans, hiding behind two shell companies incorporated in a tax and secrecy heaven to anonymously invest in the United Kingdom protect market, potentially violating Nigeria’s public service code of conduct laws .”
“Again in November 27th 2022, Sahara Reporters also published an investigative report released by the Economic and financial crime commission in which the EFCC have established a case of fraud against Bello Koko.
According to the report, the MD of the Nigeria ports authority was indicted “of being involved N829 Million fraud through kickbacks and money laundering activities.
“The EFCC investigation report which was exclusively obtained by Sahara Reporters in April of last year revealed that Koko after being investigated was found to have received monies worth over N800 Million from NPA contractors.”
