Alleged Sexual Harassment By MD NPA On Ex-Staff , Most Read Maritime Story For 2023

Mohammed Bello Koko, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2023, was the target of grave accusations of sexual harassment and alleged unlawful termination made by a certain Mercy Nkechi Ihenacho, a  former employee of the organisation.

The media was dazzled with the news which was first seen on public space in mid November 2023.

According to multiple media reports on the alleged sexual harassment on the ex-employee of NPA by the MD, readership of the story attracted over 20,011 collectively within a month.

Despite the trend, multiple online media outfits feasted on the story considering the controversial circumstances attached to it.

Recall that Ihenacho, a lawyer who once worked for NPA’s subsidiary, Seaview Properties Ltd., and in the Legal Department at NPA’s headquarters in Marina, Lagos, filed a complaint against Bello Koko at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos division, under the case number NICN/LA/197/2023/ZNU28070.

The lawsuit claims that on May 16, 2023, she was fired from her job at NPA and that her rejection of Bello Koko’s approaches was the reason behind it.

She alleged that the NPA Managing Director planned her dismissal out of spite because she rejected his purported love advances, which included one instance in which she refused to give him a kiss in his office.

She also claimed that Bello Koko threatened to “tear my clothing” when he turned down his approaches. Furthermore, she alleged that Olakunle Onasanya, a Principal Manager and her supervisor at Seaview Properties Ltd., harassed her sexually and made unwanted advances on her.

The ex-employee claimed that she was victimised and fired from NPA as a result of her refusal to comply with Bello Koko’s and Onasanya’s unwanted advances.

According to media reports,  Ihenacho is pleading with the court for an order that would offer her financial compensation, advancement to the proper grade level, and reinstatement at NPA.

This would be in line with the perks given to other members of her cohort who were hired in 2019. The former employee hopes that justice will be served in this matter at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General,Nigeria Customs Service by President Bola Tinubu came second as the next most read maritime story for the year 2023.