JUST IN: FG Orders NHIS boss to go on Compulsory Leave, Begins Probe

The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme,
Prof. Usman Yusuf, has been asked to proceed on administrative
leave immediately.

According to reports, the Federal Government has also set up a
seven-man panel to investigate the allegations levelled against the
ES by the scheme’s Governing Council.

Two labour unions had Tuesday renewed their resolve to sustain
their ongoing protest over the suspension of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the
Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), by
the Governing Council of the organisation.

The trade unions are the Association of Senior Civil Servants of
Nigeria (ASCSN), and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria
(MHWUN).

Mr Abdulrazak Omomaji, the Chairman of ASCSN, made this known to
the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, while reacting to the
statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha.

NAN recalls that Mustapha on Oct. 29 at a retreat for boards and
governing councils as well as chief executives of MDAs clarified
that as appointees of the President, the boards and councils have
no power to suspend any chief executive without recourse to due
process.

However, Omomaji said that the union was still awaiting
government reaction to their demands over the allegations of
maladministration by Yusuf.

He explained that the Act establishing the NHIS was unique that
gives the governing council the powers to suspend the executive
secretary.

“I want to clarify that the Act which establishes the NHIS is
different from the other government parastatals which are guided by
boards and directors.

“The governing council of the NHIS however acted within its
jurisdiction, they are the chief security officer of the
organisation and have the powers to discipline and suspend.

“Let it be clear that Council has not removed Prof. Usman Yusuf,
but have asked him to step aside for investigations after which
findings will be forwarded to the Minister of Health.

“Council is therefore in order, and we shall continue with the
protest as we await government’s reaction,’’ the chairman said.

NAN recalls that the SGF had explained that ‘no governing board
of a federal agency or parastatal has the power to remove the chief
executive appointed by the President.

“The board may however articulate infractions, investigate wrong
doing and make recommendations to government through the
supervisory minister,” Mustapha said.

He made the clarification at an induction programme for
governing board members of federal parastatals, universities and
medical centres at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The declaration came amidst controversy over the suspension of
Yusuf by the NHIS governing council.

On Oct. 18, the Chairman of the NHIS board, Mrs Ifenne Enyanatu,
announced the indefinite suspension of the executive secretary,
eight months after a similar suspension by the Minister of Health,
Prof. Isaac Adewole, was annulled by the Presidency because due
process was flawed.

Enyanatu said the governing council resolved to suspend Yusuf
because it had received several petitions against the NHIS
boss.

She said the board had the permission of the minister of health
to suspend Yusuf, pending investigation.

However, Yusuf ignored the order and resumed normal duty.