Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, has been suspended from office.
She has been replaced by Mohammed Koko, Director of Finance, who will act in her place.
Her suspension is believed to have been based on recommendations by her supervising minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to the presidency which swiftly approved her stepping aside.
There are uncomfirmed reports of alleged corrupt dealings levelled against her, for which probe has been set up.
Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari’s media aide, confirmed the development in NPA, in a press statement.
He said the probe panel would be led by “the Director, Maritime Services of the Ministry while the Deputy Director, Legal of the same ministry will serve as Secretary.
“Other members of the panel will be appointed by the Minister.”
Ms Bala Usman’s tenure as boss of NPA was only recently renewed for a new term of five years, after serving out a five year term which began in 2016.
She was former Chief of Staff to Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna as well as co-founder of “Bring Back Our Girls” pressure group campaigning for the release of captured Chibok girls and other abducted school children in Nigeria.
“She is most unlikely to return to her position, as a prima facie of alleged malfeasance has been established before being ordered to step down,” said a competent government source yesterday.
Hadiza is a member of the All Progressives Congress.
