I Will Not Obey Your Suspension Order – NHIS Boss Tells Nigeria’s Health Minister

The embattled Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme has said he will not obey his suspension order.

Mr Usman Yusuf, the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance
Scheme, NHIS, has officially replied the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, Premium Times reports.

In his letter dated July 12 on the official letterhead of the NHIS, Mr. Yusuf said he would not comply with the July 6 suspension order.

He acknowledged receiving the letter directing he proceeds on a three months suspension, but gave five reasons why he
would not comply with the suspension.

News Mr. Yusuf’s suspension last week over corruption allegations went rife in Nigeria.

Mr. Yusuf, 54, took over the state-run health insurance provider on July 29, 2016.

But his reign at the health ministry parastatal has been fraught with allegations
of fraud.

The suspension came weeks after the Senate launched investigations into his
activities as the NHIS chief.

The lawmakers accused Mr. Yusuf of “corrupt expenditure of N292 million” which he allegedly spent on health care training “without recourse to any appropriate approving authority.”

The NHIS chief has denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, the House of
Representatives asked the health minister to recall Mr. Yusuf.

Mr. Adewole had ordered the suspension to allow for unhindered investigation of the
corruption allegations.

On Thursday, a civic group criticised the House of Reps for calling for the recall of the
suspended official until the ordered investigation was concluded.