Human rights activist, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to stop the reinstatement of Prof. Usman Yusuf as the NHIS Executive Secretary.
Femi Falana (SAN)
Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the President Muhamamdu Buhari-led Federal Government to stop the reinstatement of Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was suspended last June by Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, following allegations of gross misconduct.
Yusuf resumed work yesterday, according to Head of Media and Public Relations of NHIS, Ayo Osinlu.
Osinlu said: “NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, resumed office today (February 8) after his reinstatement by the Federal Government on February 6.”
In a statement yesterday in Lagos, Falana reacted to the reinstatement and said: “In line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Messers Babachir Lawal and Ayo Oke, were suspended pending the conclusion of investigations into allegations of corrupt practices and money laundering levelled against them.
“But the established principle has just been set aside by President Muhammadu Buhari in this case.
“In a bid to play on the intelligence of Nigerians, the Federal Government has said the allegation of the criminal diversion of the over N900 million involving the Executive Secretary has not been swept under the carpet and that his purported reinstatement will not stop the investigation being conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The Federal Government should be advised to stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians. Since Section 42 of the Constitution bans the Federal Government from according preferential treatment to any citizen, the reinstatement of Prof Yusuf cannot be justified in law. It should be withdrawn by President Buhari without delay.”