Four months into the indefinite suspension of Usman Yusuf, a former executive secretary of the Nigerian Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), on allegations of embezzling over N700million, he is still enjoying some compliments of public office in contravention of public service rules.
BusinessDay gathered that Yusuf is still driven around Abuja and its environs in a police convoy using his official cars.
According to the Nigerian Public Service rules (030406 ), suspension shall apply where a prima facie case, the nature of which is serious, has been established against an officer and it is considered necessary in the public interest that he/she should forthwith be prohibited from carrying out his/her duties.
“Pending investigation into the misconduct, the Federal Civil Service Commission or the Permanent Secretary/Head of Extra-Ministerial Office (if within his/her delegated powers) shall forthwith suspend him/her from the exercise of the powers and functions of his/her office and from the enjoyment of his/her emolument,” said the regulation.
BusinessDay confirmed from two legal analysts who said the rules are being contravened in this instance.
Sources also allege that the suspended executive secretary, boasting connections in Aso Rock, carries on with the belief that his return is only a matter of time. Yusuf comes from Katsina, the same state as the president.
Recall that Yusuf was suspended on July 6 following three petitions, the third and most damning titled “The Monumental Fraud, Gross Abuse of Office and Nepotic Act Inimical to the Objective of the Scheme Happening in NHIS under the Leadership of Professor Yusuf Usman” dated 21 April by the United Youth Alliance Against Corruption, accused him of financial irregularities.
Key issues raised in the petitions are with regards to unauthorised secondment into the scheme, incurring expenditure without due process, approvals above the threshold of the executive secretary, flagrant disrespect to due process in procurement matters, financial irregularities and award of contracts with impunity.
A panel was set up by the Federal Government in July, 2017 and found evidence of breaches to the procurement procedures hence the EFCC was tasked to recover part of the amount spent for the purported trainings.
On the strength of the panel investigation, Isaac Areola, minister of health suspended Yusuf but he defied the order insisting that only the president can suspend him.
After weeks of controversy, Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s then acting president reconstituted another panel to investigate claims against Yusuf while an interim executive secretary was appointed while Yusuf’s suspension was ratified.
Stakeholders in the health sector say the current situation where an acting executive secretary exists who cannot take fundamental decisions affecting the sector, is hindering efforts to deepen universal health coverage for Nigerians.
They are calling for the immediate prosecution of the suspended executive secretary of the NHIS since investigations conducted by the committee setup by the minister of health Isaac Adewole found him culpable of gross misconduct and corruption.
According to the stakeholders, the NHIS scheme has so far not measured up to expectations, because those in acting capacity cannot take a fundamental decision and this is slowing down the growth of healthcare in Nigeria.
The stakeholders are also demanding from the government, the immediate constitution of the council of the NHIS.
ANTHONIA OBOKOH
