CSO Alleges House was Induced to Support Embattled NHIS Boss

Martins Ifijeh

The Coalition of Civil Society Against Corruption (COCSAC) has alleged that the House of Representatives was induced in order to back the reinstatement of the embattled National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was recently suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, over corruption allegations.

The coalition said it had it on good authority that money was exchanged between certain persons and members of the House three days ago so they could raise the issue on the floor of the lower chamber, adding that in due time, those involved and how much was collected would be made public.

Making the allegation during a press conference in Lagos thursday, the group’s Chairman, Raji Rasheed Oyewimu, said since there was an allegation against the ES, the onus lies on him to defend himself, rather than the House wading into it to undermine the investigation.

He said: “We are very mindful of the grand plan of the House through its committee on healthcare to checkmate the legitimate due process and halt the administrative investigative probe to u ravel the misappropriation allegations levelled against Usman.

“Let it be on record that over the time, the House’s public hearing have become an arbitral of the highest bidder. We can recollect the Hon Farouk Lawal’s probe and the Hon. Herman Hembe security exchange commission panel. The House should stay clear of this financial scam and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) carry out their statutory mandate to unravel allegations even in the NHIS scandal.”

He said the coalition was undisturbed by the misgivings and reactionary tendencies of the ES, but was held aback by the recent orchestrated and sponsored media attacks on the process that culminated in the suspension of Yusuf.
“Let it be clear that all agencies and parastatals of the federal government derive their legitimacy from their supervisory ministries. Hence, NHIS is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health and this can be substantiated with clear provisions of the law; one of the reasons why their annual budget is under the Ministry of Health,” he added.

On his part, the National Coordinator, Concerned Human Rights, Declan Ihekaire, said the group was in support of the suspension of the ES, as this would afford him the opportunity to properly defend himself.

“We admonish Yusuf to toe the path of honour by submitting himself to the administrative investigative,” he added.
He said the House had suddenly turned itself into an agent of intimidation, adding that in their ploy to return Yusuf back to his position, they may end up inviting the Minister of Health in order to intimidate him and then mandate him to reinstate the ES.

He called on the EFCC to step up its game by getting involved in the financial scam, while subjecting all culprits after the investigation process to dictates of the law for adequate punishment.

Yusuf was last week suspended for three months by the health minister to enable a constituted panel investigate allegations against him which includes purchase of a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle at the cost of N58m without approval; approval of fictitious training within and outside the country to the tune of N600million.

Other allegations were approval of N150million for banned items like promotional materials and souvenirs as against presidential directive, and appointment of 12 directors without approval which violates civil service rule, among others.