Ex-staff sues NPA MD, Mohammed Bello Koko for alleged sexual harassment

Mohammed Bello Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA,  has been accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of the Authority, Mercy Nkechi Ihenacho.

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 her clothing” when he turned down his approaches.

Furthermore, she alleged that Olakunle Onasanya, a Principal Manager and her supervisor at Seaview Properties Ltd., also 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.

Source: reportersdiary.com.ng