Group withdraws call to suspend NPA Boss Koko, sues for his confirmation

By: Tijjani Ibrahim.

An anti-corruption group, Nigerians United Against Corruption has withdrawn its initial call for the suspension of Mr. Muhammad Bello Koko, acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The group told newsmen at a press conference that it was misled by spurious and false data in alleging the NPA chief of corruption, and has therefore resolved to recant same in view of superior arguments.

“Gentlemen of the press, you will recall that we called a Press Conference during the week to call for the suspension of the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) owing to a misleading data we have that alleges the involvement of the MD in some shady deals. As a responsible body of patriotic Nigerians, the Nigerians United Against Corruption movement is one that has never shied away or submit to cowardice when it comes to exposing corrupt individuals in Civil Service, Public Service and even the Private Sector. As an anti-corruption vanguard, we are motivated by our love for this nation and its progress. We also derive our strength in the belief that joining the government and its anti-corruption agencies in ridding Nigeria of corruption is akin to breaking the shackles of backwardness and retrogression that has hindered the development of this great country for a very long period of time,” Amb. Salisu Sageer Zarewa, spokesperson of the group noted.

“In the discharge of our mandate, we rely on Intels gathered through insiders, governments, investigative journalist and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. As an organization that enjoys the public thrust, we pursue all cases at our sight without fear or favor and like all other anti-corruption organizations, we sometimes get wrong information from our sources, that is why we operate an open door policy to enable individuals or people in the know to step forward and guide us on every assignment we undertake.

“Today, we call you here to  withdraw those allegations we meted against Mr. Muhammad Bello Koko as our deep and forensic investigations confirmed to us that the facts at our disposal are false and misleading, it is dished out by unscrupulous elements determined to distract the MD from the good transformation he is putting in place at the NPA,” he added.

The group meanwhile apologized to the NPA boss, his family, associates and other persons affected by their initial claims, noting that they had henceforth dissociated themselves from any move to undermine the integrity of Koko.

It also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the appointment of Koko and provide him with all necessary support in discharging his duty.

“We, the Nigerians United Against Corruption wishes to by this notice and in the presence of superior data and information withdraw all allegations of corruption and tender our unreserved apology to Mr. Muhammad Bello Koko, stakeholders of the Ports Authority, his family, friends and associates. We also disassociate ourselves from any future move in whatever guise that aims at undermining the integrity and patriotism of Mr. Muhammad Bello Koko, we also call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the appointment of Mr. Koko as the substantive Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Authority and provide him with all necessary policy and logistics support to restore the confidence of Stakeholders in the Nigerian Maritime Industry.”.