Your Suspension Remains, Health Minister Replies NHIS Boss

The Federal Ministry of Health has told embattled Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Usman Yusuf, that he remains suspended from service.

The insurance provider was reacting to a letter from Mr. Yusuf challenging the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, that he cannot suspend him.

The minister on July 6 directed the NHIS to proceed on a three month suspension, following allegations of corruption levelled against him.

The health ministry in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Boade Akinola, on Friday said is legally obligated to respect the the directives from the minister.

“The NHIS is an agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Administrative Panel of Inquiry raised by the Ministry to investigate activities of the agency has commenced its assignment with specific terms of reference,” the spokesperson said.

His response to his July 6 suspension was sent same day the House of Representatives ordered his reinstatement, a directive that is not binding on the health ministry.

Trouble started for Yusuf when the Senate launched investigations into his activities as the NHIS chief and accused him of “corrupt expenditure of N292 million” which he allegedly spent on health care training “without recourse to any appropriate approving authority.”

A twist into the suspension saga emerged on Wednesday when the House of Representatives asked the health minister to recall the NHIS boss.

The position of the House has been condemned by a civil society group, who said the resolution was one which encouraged corruption.