Buhari reinstates suspended NHIS boss undergoing EFCC probe for alleged N919m fraud

The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was suspended by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has been recalled by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was learnt that Yusuf was being interrogated by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday when his letter of reinstatement was sent to the Federal Ministry of Health.

Adewole suspended Yusuf on July 6, 2017, over allegations that he abused his office and perpetrated fraud to the tune of N919 million.

However, in a letter with reference number, ‘SH/COS/10/6/A/29’, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Adewole was informed that Yusuf has been recalled.

In the letter, the minister was meant to understand that Yusuf had been “admonished to work harmoniously with him (Adewole).

The minister it was learnt, got the letter on Tuesday evening, and in the letter, there was no mention of the probe Yusuf was facing at the EFCC.

A committee set up by the Health Minister had in September 2017, submitted its probe report to the president, accusing Yusuf of abuse of office.

Yusuf was described in the report compiled by a panel made up of senior officials of the health ministry, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC), as a public servant who “portrayed a holier than thou attitude but at the background, milked the agency dry” by collaborating with others to perpetrate fraud to the tune of over N919 million.

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The panel had noted in the report that the N919 million was dubiously given as payment to consultants for staff training.

“His (Yusuf’s) deceitful attitude coupled with ‘name dropping’ of Mr. President as having sent him to sanitise the NHIS but he caused more harm than good to the scheme,” the panel report had noted.

The committee had then recommended that the EFCC probe the agency for diversion of N919 million and contravention of the Procurement Act of 2007.

It was gathered that Kyari’s letter reinstating Yusuf made no mention of the report from the panel as well.

 

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