$2.1m fraud: EFCC drags former NHIS boss, others to court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dragged former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas, a.k.a Dr. Ike and one Kabiru Sidi to court on a six-count charge of fraudulently enriching themselves of the sum of over $2, 198,900 belonging to the NHIS.

In the amended criminal suit filed at Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, the EFCC in the charge sheet dated 8^th of June, 2018, seen by National Daily accused Dr. Thomas and his wife, who is now at large of fraudulently taking the sum of $2, 198,900:00, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 18 and punishable under section 15 (2) and by Act No 1 of 2012.

“That you Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas, former Executive Secretary of the National health Insurance Scheme and Mrs. Femi Thomas (still at large) on or about the 3^rd of July 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured Bamidele Ibiteye to remove from Lagos jurisdiction the sum of $2, 198, 900.00 (Two million, one hundred and ninety eight thousand, nine hundred United States Dollar) proceed of Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas unlawful enrichment as former section 18 and punishable under section 15 (2) © and (3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended by Act No 1 0f 2012,” the charge reads.

Count three of the charge sheet says Dr. Thomas was also accused of concealing the said the origin of the said amount knowing fully well that the fund forms part of the proceeds of his unlawful act to with unlawful enrichment and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (a) and punishable under section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering prohibition Act, 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

He was charged with making cash payment of the said amount which exceeded N5 million contrary to section 18 and punishable under section 16 (2) of the Money Laundering Prohibition act of 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

The other accused kabiru Sidi, according to the EFCC was said to have on or about 5^th of July, 2015, at the EFCC zonal office in Lagos, made a false statement to Afeez Mustapha, an investigative officer with the EFCC, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 39 (2) (b) and punishable under section 39 (2) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission establishment act of 2004.

Recall that Professor Usman Yusuf, the man appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to take over from Dr. Thomas as Executive Secretary has been embroiled in serious financial gross misconduct, and was suspended by the governing board of the NHIS on October 18.

Yusuf reinstatement on Monday 22^nd of October by the presidency has sparked off a peaceful demonstration by medical unions who insisted that the Executive Secretary remained suspended.