A coalition of civil society organizations, Vanguard For New Nigeria (VNN), has written a letter to President Bola Tinubu, urging the immediate removal and prosecution of Muhammed Bello Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), due to his alleged involvement in corruption.
Expressing frustration over the lack of action taken against Koko despite numerous reports and invitations from the Senate, VNN highlighted the political protection he has enjoyed, shielding him from accountability.
VNN emphasized that appointing Muhammed Bello Koko to lead the Nigerian Ports Authority has become a case study in the detrimental effects of corruption, as it has deterred foreign investors from selecting Nigeria as their preferred destination.
Citing specific instances of corruption allegations against Koko, VNN referred to an investigative report by Premium Times on October 6th, 2021.
The report exposed offshore companies and properties linked to Bello Koko, revealing potential violations of Nigeria’s public service code of conduct laws.
Furthermore, VNN highlighted a separate investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 27th, 2022.
The EFCC report implicated Koko in a case of fraud involving N829 million through kickbacks and money laundering activities. The report, obtained exclusively by Sahara Reporters, detailed how Koko received over N800 million from NPA contractors.
Bello Koko has gained notoriety for his involvement in fraud, extortion, tax evasion, forgery, and money laundering, both within Nigeria and internationally. Despite the undeniable evidence of corruption, the Nigerian government has failed to hold Koko accountable.
In response, a team of fraud and corruption investigators based in the UK conducted further inquiries, leading them to discover Koko’s alleged deep involvement in criminal acts related to money laundering, fraud, forgery, tax evasion, and extortion.
Consequently, the investigative team sent a letter to the UK Home Office Secretary, demanding the confiscation and forfeiture of properties allegedly acquired by Koko through questionable means.
VNN expressed disappointment in the lack of action taken by the Buhari and now Tinubu administrations, suggesting that their inaction undermines their commitment to combatting corruption.
Despite numerous corruption cases reported by the EFCC and complaints from local and international maritime stakeholders regarding alleged corruption and extortion, the government appears powerless and unwilling to take decisive action.
