I’ve not been sacked, indicted for fraud

Contrary to reports, the suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Usman, says she has not been sacked or indicted in an audit of funds for alleged non-remittance to the Federal Government.

In a statement today, Usman said the reports were falsified to tarnish her image.

“Media reports alleging that the Auditor-General of the Federation has issued some queries regarding monies being owed the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), by Terminal Operators have come to my attention,” she said.

“Ordinarily, the NPA should clear the air about these allegations, and for this reason, I have refused to make any comments since the news broke.

“However, it is becoming more apparent that tarnishing my image is the primary mission of promoters of the story.

“On Tuesday morning, for instance, several people sent me a social media post with the title: ‘NPA Audit indicts Hadiza Bala Usman for not remitting N40b, $921.61m and £289.931.82 to federal government accounts.’

“I make bold to say that this report is untrue and a fallacy from the imagination of anyone spreading the falsehood. I also challenge anyone with proofs of this allegation to present them in public.”

Usman, who has been suspended from her position since May 2021, said that even if there are funds unremitted into the Federal Government’s accounts, these funds will remain in the treasury single account (TSA) where all revenues generated by the authority are kept.

She added that the NPA would have explanations for any audit queries that may arise.

Usman further highlighted that the report claimed that allegations of abuse of office, corrupt enrichment and failure to account for billions of naira led to her dismissal.

“I state without any equivocation that I have not received any information about my purported sack from any quarters until this moment.

“I have also not been indicted for any offence as alleged in these increasing lies,” she said.

The suspended NPA boss urged the public not to pay attention to the falsehood being peddled against her, adding that she was proud of her service to the nation.