BY SHOLA OSHUNKEYE
The Hassan Bukar Panel set up by the Federal Government to scrutinise allegations of financial impropriety and other malfeasance levelled against the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Dr. Usman Yusuf, will be inaugurated at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, in Abuja on Friday, November 2, 2018.
Yusuf, a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with extensive experience practising medicine across three continents – Africa, Europe and North America, became the Executive Secretary/CEO of NHIS in August 2016.
In the two years of his tumultuous reign at the NHIS, Yusuf has been suspended twice, and has been under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Initial sign of trouble came in July, last year, when the NHIS boss was suspended by his supervising minister, Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health. The suspension was stoked by an order of the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who also directed that he be investigated.
Consequently, a ministerial panel investigated him and indicted him of N900 million fraud. But Prof. Yusuf got a temporary reprieve when, President Buhari, upon his return from vacation in London, reinstated him and admonished him to mend fences with his minister. The President’s action drew public anger; as well as the angst of public policy experts who felt that his action was capable of breeding indiscipline, insubordination and corruption.
The fear of the experts was not without foundation because Prof Yusuf sat tight while his interdiction by the Health Minister lasted. In fact, he was quoted as saying nobody but the man that appointed him (i.e. the President) can sack him. Many saw Yusuf’s audacity as emblematic of the indiscipline among some of Buhari appointees who gloat in their crooked ways because of their linkage and closeness to the President.
On October 18, 2018, eight months after his reinstatement by President Buhari, the governing council of the NHIS came down heavily on the Executive Secretary and slammed him with indefinite suspension. Still, Yusuf would not quit. He defied the board and stormed the NHIS Headquarters in Abuja with policemen. Not only did he force his way, his presence so emboldened the already factionalised staff that his supporters among them almost took the law into their hands.
Announcing the resolution, chairperson of the NHIS governing council, Ifenne Enyanatu, said the decision to suspend Yusuf was induced by the flurry of petitions the board received against the NHIS boss. The board also constitute an administrative panel to investigate Yusuf for three months, adding it was expedient for him to step aside pending the outcome of the probe.
Enyanatu said the board’s action was not unilateral. “We consulted and got the approval of the Minister of Health before this suspension,” she said. She then named Mallam Sadiq Abubakar as the acting boss of the NHIS.
The chicken finally came to roost for Prof. Yusuf as President Muhammadu Buhari ordered him to proceed on administrative leave effective from November 5.
Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, conveyed Buhari’s order in a letter he issued on Wednesday. The letter was signed by the permanent secretary in the SGF’s office, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle.
The president’s directive, said the letter, “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.
“In his absence, Mr. Ben Omogo, a Director of Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been deployed to oversee the affairs of the Scheme,” he added.
The letter further stated that a seven-member panel, headed by Hassan Bukar, has also been constituted to probe the allegations against Dr. Yusuf.
The panel, which has two weeks to submit its findings, will be formally inaugurated on Friday.
Below, we run the full text of the letter conveying the President’s directive:
RE: SUSPENSION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (ES) OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME (NHIS)
The Federal Government has found it necessary to restate that the objective for establishing Parastatals is in fulfillment of the need to deliver services to Nigerians faster and better. It has also considered it necessary to restate that the roles of Governing Boards/Councils, are as prescribed by the statutes, guidelines and extant circulars and that the position of Chief Executives of Parastatals is to ensure that policies of Government as enunciated by Boards and Councils are implemented in accordance with their mandate.
- It has however observed with deep concern the growing tension between Boards and Chief Executives and their attendant implications for governance. For the avoidance of doubt, government will neither tolerate acts of indiscipline from any appointee nor will it harbour any acts of corruption. Government will however ensure that due process is followed strictly in trying to maintain discipline and probity in public service.
- With specific reference to recent developments at the National Health Insurance Scheme, Mr. President has after due consideration approved the establishment of an independent fact-finding panel to investigate the alleged infractions by the Executive Secretary and report back within two weeks. The Membership of the Panel include:
(i) Dr. Hassan Bukar – Chairman
(ii) Dr. Emmanuel Meribole – Member
Director, HPRS, FMH
(iii) Mr. Adewale Owolo – Member
Director, Audit, (AuGF)
(iv) Mr. Shamsuddeen Bello, – Member
Deputy Director Expenditure (OAGF)
(v) Mr. Ishaq Yahaya – Member
Director, Certification & Compliance,
BPP
(vi) Dr. Ekanem John Udoh
Director of Science (FMS&T) – Member
(vii) Mrs. Jummai Idakwo – Member/Secretary
Director, Administration (OSGF)
TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
(I) To investigate the alleged infractions listed by the NHIS Governing Council in letter dated 18th October, 2018 and determine the extent of culpability or otherwise of the Executive Secretary with regards to the allegations;
(II) To make appropriate recommendations based on the findings from TOR I above;
(III) To identify, investigate and make recommendations with regards to issues that led to the unhealthy relationship between the Board and the CEO;
(IV) Investigate and make recommendations on the extent of involvement of staff Unions’ within the institution as to the current impasse between the Governing Board and Executive Secretary; and
(V) To examine all governance challenges in the NHIS and make appropriate recommendations.
- The Panel which is headed by a retired Permanent Secretary will be inaugurated by the SGF on Friday, 2nd November, 2018 at 3.00p.m. in the conference Room of the OSGF. With the establishment of this Panel, the earlier body set up by the Governing Council stands dissolved.
- In order to create room for an unfettered investigation, Mr. President has approved that the Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof. Usman Yusuf should proceed on administrative leave immediately. In his absence, Mr. Ben Omogo, a Director of Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been deployed to oversee the affairs of the Scheme.
- Government recognises the importance of the Scheme as a strong mechanism for the delivery of public healthcare and wishes to re-assure all Nigerians of its determination to place high premium on public interest.
(Signed)
Olusegun A. Adekunle, Esq.
Permanent Secretary (General Services Office)
for: Secretary to the Government of the Federation
30th October, 2018
