NHIS Probe: Health Minister Suspends 8 More Officials

BY MUSA SIMON REEF, ABUJA – The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, has ordered the immediate suspension of no fewer than eight officials of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to pave way for an uninterrupted probe of allegations of maladministration and mismanagement preferred against the axed Executive Secretary of the Scheme, Professor Usman Yusuf.

Forefront News had exclusively reported last week Monday, July 10, 2017 that no fewer than four top officials of the NHIS were to be suspended to pave way for a thorough probe of all allegations against the suspended NHIS boss-led management.

In a memo to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, dated July14, 2017, on the suspension order, the Minister stated thus; “I write to inform you that as part of my desire that the administrative panel of enquiry which you are chairing  have uninterrupted activity to robustly investigate the veracity of all petitions at the NHIS, including security reports on maladministration and mismanagement by officials of the agency, the following officials should with immediate effect  proceed on suspension till the outcome of the investigation:

1. Mr Olufemi Akingbade – GM, Zonal Coordinator, South-South Zone
2. Mr John Okon – GM, Finance Account
3. Mr Yusuf Fatika – GM, Human Resources and Administration.
4. Mr Shehu Adamu – AGM, Audit
5. Mr Vincent Mamdam – AGM, Head Insurance
6. Mr Safiyanu Attah – Senior Assistant Officer, Marketing
7. Mr Owen Udo Udoma – Manager, Contribution Management
8. Mr Innocent Abbah – Senior Assistant officer, Planning Research and Monitoring

“The decision is a clear demonstration of our irrevocable commitment to taking every step to sanitise the Scheme and reposition it for effective service delivery.

“May I once again, urge your committee to remain focused, fair and transparent in the discharge of this national task despite the sensation this development has generated.

“Please, convey the directive to the Acting Executive Secretary, NHIS for immediate implementation.

“I look forward to the outcome of your investigation.”

Forefront News has exclusively reported that those to be likely suspended included the South-south Zonal Coordinator of the Scheme, Mr Femi Akingbade; General Manager (Finance), Mr John Okoh; Head of Audit, Mr Shehu Adamu;  and General Manager (Human Resources), Mr Lawal Fatika.

A source had confided in our correspondent that, “I can authoritatively confide in you that plans have been completed to suspend four top guns of the NHIS. The sole reason is to give way for an unfettered probe of all allegations contained in several petitions against Yusuf and some of his top management staff within the period of one year that he was in charge.

“You are aware that Mr Akingbade was petitioned against over graft, just as the GM Finance was alleged to have played a role in the disbursement of the whopping sum of N800 million for trainings, apart from N210  million that was approved for electronic media project.

“The understanding here is that it will be an act of injustice for Yusuf to be suspended alone without others being subjected to the same disciplinary measures to allow for uninterrupted investigation. Top officials of the Ministry of Health are meeting to ensure the suspension of others, who were alleged to have played roles worthy of investigation, is duly effected,” the source disclosed.