The sack followed the recommendation of an independent fact-finding panel on the NHIS which said Yusuf should be dismissed from service.

The sack which came about seven months after the recommendation was announced on Monday by the Director, Media, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, in a statement she issued.

She also announced that Prof. Mohammed Sambo, had been appointed as the new head of the NHIS.

It would be recalled that a panel set up by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had last December recommended Yusuf for dismissal over alleged fraud.

In a similar vein, a panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Health had in 2017 recommended that he should be dismissed.

The panel probed him over alleged mismanagement of N919 million.

The statement issued by Akinola reads in part:  “Following the recommendations of report by an independent fact-finding panel on the NHIS, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the termination of appointment of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who has been on administrative leave and has approved the appointment of Prof. Mohammed Sambo as the new executive secretary

“Similarly, the President also approved the dissolution of the governing board of the NHIS and directed the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health to exercise full powers of the council pending the constitution of a new board.

“President Buhari has also approved the appointment of Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu as the Director–General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The appointment is in line with the provisions of Section 11(1)(3) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(Establishment) Act, 2018.”

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The report was submitted on Monday by the chairman of the probe panel, Dr. Bukar Hassan, to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The seven-man panel was set up in November by the Federal Government to probe, among other things, the situation that led to the crisis between the board of the NHIS and Yusuf.

While receiving the report, Mustapha gave the assurance that the content of the report would be made public soon.

His words:  “I am delighted to receive the report of the panel on NHIS from the Chairman and members who were assigned to look at the immediate and remote causes of the conflict that engulfed the NHIS.

“The panel was earlier given two weeks to submit its report; it was, however, extended due to the nature of the work and the need to address core issues.

“I receive this report with deep sense of appreciation and I assure you that the report would be expeditiously processed for implementation.’’

Speaking during his presentation of the report, Hassan stated that the report contained some recommendations that required urgent attention.

He explained that his panel was painstaking in carrying out its duties in order to help improve the situation in the NHIS.

“In the course of the work, the panel had to interface with stakeholders including the Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary, Chairman of Governing council, Unions, the National Assembly, among others.

“It is our belief and aspiration that our recommendations will reposition the scheme and proffer solutions to the challenges that have hindered the scheme in achieving its laudable objectives,’’ he said.

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole presented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullahi.

Other members of the panel are Dr. Emmanuel Meribole; Adewale Owolo; Shamsuddeen Bello; Ishaq Yahaya; Dr Ekanem John Udoh and Mrs. Jummai Idakwo.

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Yusuf spoke while appearing before the committee of the House of Representatives investigating the situation surrounding his suspension about two weeks ago.

The NHIS boss said there was a gang up against him and as a result of his refusal to release the money, a panel was set up to probe him.

He alleged that the panel was bribed with N19 million to indict him.

“The panel delivered as the panelists were given N19 million; even the security too were given money,” he said.

Yusuf said he had documents to prove his case.

He described his suspension on October 18 as a coup because, it came a day before  “the day I was going to present a result of the forensic audit.”

“It was a gang up to stop my fight against corruption.

“These are all allegations that have been recycled. They were all investigated by the ICPC and EFCC; and they found nothing and I was cleared. They wrote to me clearing me.”

He denied ever awarding contracts illegally, stating that his brother’s company which got a N406 million contract in 2016 did that following due process.

Following the controversy generated by his suspension over alleged financial malpractices and his forceful return to office, Yusuf was sent on leave on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Yusuf was suspended indefinitely about two weeks ago.

His suspension was handed down by the governing council of the NHIS, led by Mrs. Ifenne Enyenatu.

The suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation of allegation of financial malpractices against him.

But a day after he was suspended, Yusuf forced his way into office.

His return resulted in protests at the NHIS.

But in a new twist to the case, an independent panel was said to have been set up to look into the case.

The panel is headed by Hassan Bukar.

The action of the government was announced by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adekunle, on Wednesday.

He said the order for Yusuf to proceed on leave was to prevent interference.

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The leave and setting up of a panel to probe the allegations against him were approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A Director in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ben Omogo, has been directed to act in the absence of Yusuf.

Yusuf was suspended indefinitely about two weeks ago.

His suspension was handed down by the governing council of the NHIS, led by Mrs. Ifenne Enyenatu.

The suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation of allegation of financial malpractices against him.

But a day after he was suspended, Yusuf forced his way into office.

His return has since caused protests at the NHIS.

But in a new twist to the case, an independent panel was said to have been set up to look into the case.

The panel is headed by Hassan Bukar.

The action of the government was announced by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olusegun Adekunle, on Wednesday.

He said the order for Yusuf to proceed on leave was to prevent interference.

The statement issued by Adekunle reads:  “The federal government has 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.”

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His suspension was handed down by the governing council of the NHIS, led by Mrs. Ifenne Enyenatu.

The suspension was to allow for a thorough investigation of allegation of financial malpractices against him.

Mallam Sadiq Abubakar has been assigned to act as the Executive Secretary.

Announcing the suspension, Enyenatu said the governing board had received several petitions against Yusuf, hence it became imperative to determine their genuineness or otherwise.

Enyenatu who disclosed that the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole approved of the probe, said an administrative panel had been set up and given three months to submit its findings.

It would be recalled that Adewole suspended Yusuf in 2017 over alleged financial malpractices.

He was indicted by the probe panel set up.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari reinstated him February without any regard to the Minister of Health.

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