The Ministry of Health on Monday suspended eight officials of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

This comes after more facts were uncovered by the committee set up by the minister to investigate the suspended NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf.

In a statement by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Mrs. Boade Akinola, said the General Manager and Zonal Coordinator (South-South) of the NHIS, Mr. Olufemi Akingbade, was one of the suspended persons.

The statement said Akingbade was accused of fraud while he was in charge of the ICT Department and was indicted by security agencies.

[Read Also: PRESIDENCY ORDERS SUSPENDED NHIS BOSS’ PROBE]

Others suspended by the ministry are General Manager (Finance), Mr. John Okon; General Manager (Human Resources and Administration) Mr. Yusuf Fatika; Assistant General Manager in charge of Audit, Mr. Shehu Adamu; and Assistant General Manager, Head Insurance, Mr. Vincent Mamdam.

The Senior Assistant Officer, Marketing, Mr. Safiyanu Attah; Senior Manager, Contribution Management, Owen Udo-Udoma; and Mr. Innocent Abbah who is the Senior Assistant Officer, Planning Research and Monitoring, were also suspended.

The statement added, “In furtherance of the activities of the investigative panel of inquiry and the desire to have an uninterrupted and robust investigation of all petitions at the NHIS, including security reports on maladministration and mismanagement by officials of the agency, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has approved the suspensions.”

[Read Also: NHIS BOSS DARES HEALTH MINISTER, SAYS HE WON’T OBEY SUSPENSION ORDER]

The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Usman Yusuf had earlier been suspended for alleged corruption.

Yusuf had however said he would not follow the order, stating that he would resume office this week.

Azeez