Hon. Mkpa Uka Denies UK Prison Allegation, Labels Viral Report as False and Politically Motivated

Former Deputy Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Hon. Mkpa Oju Uka, has refuted claims circulating on social media alleging that he was involved in drug trafficking, mortgage fraud, and is currently serving a prison sentence in the United Kingdom.

Hon. Uka described the viral report, published by a Facebook page identified as Ndi Abia, as a deliberate attempt to malign his character and mislead the public.

He said, “Ordinarily, I would have ignored such baseless fabrications, but for the sake of truth, public record, and to protect my integrity, it has become necessary to set the facts straight.”

Providing context to his life and career, Uka explained that he relocated to the United Kingdom in April 1999 from Lomé, Togo, where he had been residing and working. Upon settling in the UK, he took up employment with a used clothing company before later working as a customer service adviser while running a small-scale trade in used clothing and shoes.

Through years of diligent work, savings, and support from family and friends, he was able to acquire his first property in 2005 and later purchased a second one with assistance from his wife and through a remortgage arrangement.

According to him, his first encounter with the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) occurred in 2017, when he was notified that his properties were under a court freezing order. He voluntarily honoured the invitation, cooperated fully with investigators, and provided complete documentation to verify his legitimate income sources.

He clarified that the issue stemmed from an ongoing investigation into certain mortgage brokers who had processed multiple client applications, including his.

“In 2019, the NCA obtained a summary judgment based solely on documentation issues related to the mortgage process. The court categorically dismissed all claims linking me or my family to drug trafficking or any criminal offence, citing a lack of evidence,” Uka stated.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, he filed an appeal in July 2018, which was later resolved amicably after both parties agreed to a mutual settlement in September 2019. A consent order was signed, and the appeal was subsequently withdrawn.

“At no point was I arrested, detained, charged, or imprisoned,” he emphasized. “The allegations are false, mischievous, and politically motivated.”

Hon. Uka added that he has since continued his professional career and is currently a qualified and registered Mental Health Nurse with a leading private mental health institution in London.

He urged the public to disregard the defamatory publication and warned those behind it to retract their statements and issue a public apology, or risk legal action.

“Fake news will not destroy my name or reputation. I have lived an honest life and will defend it against all malicious attacks,” he asserted.