The Federal Government says the reinstatement of the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, will not stop his investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said on Wednesday while fielding questions from State House reporters after the cabinet meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yusuf, who was in June 2017 suspended by the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, sequel to allegations of gross misconduct, was on Tuesday reinstated by the president.
The minister later reportedly found the NHIS helmsman culpable of infractions that ranged from nepotism to theft of public funds.
The information minister said yesterday, “I am not aware that the EFCC is investigating the recently reinstated Executive Secretary of NHIS, but if that is the case, I don’t think his reinstatement is a bar to any investigation.”
On why he claimed not to be aware that Yusuf is under investigation, the minister recanted, “I didn’t say I’m not aware of his investigation, I said EFCC. I was precise I said I am not aware that the EFCC is investigating him and that if it is true, that the fact that he has been reinstated does not mean a stop to it.
“That is what I said. I am not saying I’m not aware that he was suspended or any investigation is going on. The fact that he has been reinstated does not mean that the EFCC will not continue with its investigation, that is what I said.”
Earlier before the cabinet meeting started, there was a scene inside the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, engaged in a tête-a-tête.
As they briefly gesticulated before Buhari arrived for the cabinet meeting, photojournalists scrambled to take shots.
The minister of health, who appeared visibly upset, had earlier discussed with some of his colleagues.
