Investigators Seek Visa Cancellation For NPA Boss, Wife Over Alleged Fraud
By Matthew Eloyi
Foreign investigators have requested in a letter to the UK government that the visas granted to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, his wife Agatha Koko, and all other members of his family be immediately and unconditionally revoked due to extensive allegations of corruption, money laundering, and fraud.
Additionally, the Investigators are asking for an Exclusion order, which would categorically prohibit the NPA Boss and his family from travelling to or entering the United Kingdom or any of its territories.
The investigators also requested the complete confiscation and forfeiture of properties that were allegedly acquired through dubious means in a letter to the Home Office Secretary, 2 Marsham Street London SW1 4DF, The Rt. Hon. Suella Braverman, as seen by our correspondent.
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The investigations turned up illegal activity against Mr Bello-Koko that included tax evasion, extortion, fraud, forgery, and money laundering.
The UK/Ireland Investigators noted in a letter signed by Michael O’Leary that Mr Bello-Koko stole billions of Naira in a widespread money laundering scheme with representatives of the Rivers State government in Nigeria while working as a banker for Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc and account officer to the Rivers State Government.
“On 6 November, 2015, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko bought a property in London worth £1,750,000.00 (One million, seven hundred and fifty thousand pounds only).
“This property is located at 2a Beech Hill Barnet EN4 OJP with Title Number NGL399845 with co-ownership: with -agatha Koko. Deed attached
“This property was bought with stolen funds laundered to the United Kingdom from Nigeria,” The investigators alleged.
The Investigators also revealed that “As Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority, a high revenue earner for Nigeria after crude oil, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko has looted the agency through several awards of fictitious contracts and money laundering schemes.
The letter also disclosed the details of the bank accounts used for the alleged money laundering and sought for the accounts to be frozen pending the conclusion of the investigation by the UK national Crimes Agency.
