The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja against the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) challenging his suspension.

In the suit, Yusuf is asking the court to hold that the governing council of the NHIS had no powers under sections 6 and 7 of the NHIS Act to discipline him or investigate the allegations made against him as they have done, leading to his suspension on October 19, 2018.

The suit filed by Yusuf’s counsel, Uchechukwu Obi (SAN) contends that only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and no other, upon the recommendation of the Minister of Health can discipline, investigate, suspend or remove him from office.

Prof. Yusuf further asked the court to set aside his purported suspension from the NHIS by the board of the agency and declare it null and void. No date has however been fixed for hearing of the matter.

On Wednesday, Prof. Yusuf who was accused of diverting staff allowances to the tune of ₦919 million was asked to go on an indefinite administrative leave by the Federal Government.