President Muhammadu Buhari has stepped into the crisis at the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and directed the embattled National Secretary, Professor Usman Yusuf to proceed on Administrative leave effective from November 5.
The fresh directive was issued via a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on Wednesday.
Excerpts of the statement read;
“This is to allow for unfettered investigation into allegations of infractions and financial malfeasance levelled against him by the Governing Council of the institution and other stakeholders.”
Asides from the directive, the statement revealed further that a seven-member panel was constituted to probe the allegations against the embattled executive secretary of the NHIS; the panel is to be headed by Hassan Bukar and is given two weeks to submit its report.
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The panel is to investigate infractions alleged against the executive secretary and determine his culpability; identify, investigate and make recommendations on the issues that led to the frosty relations between the Governing Council and Prof. Yusuf S; examine all governance challenges in NHIS and make appropriate recommendations among others.
The panel is to be inaugurated on November 5 in the office of the SGF when Yusuf is expected to proceed on his administrative leave.
Prof. Yusuf was suspended by the board of the NHIS on October 18 over alleged fraud and infractions. This is his second suspension over similar allegations since he assumed office in 2016.