Nearly N3 billion has been credited to the coffers of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the two months of February and August, this year, information from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says.
The funds were recovered from commercial banks, which fraudulently kept the funds, but the commission did not say if there would be consequences for the banks or its officials involved in the fraud.
According to the commission, the sum of One Billion, Four Hundred Million Naira (N1.4 Billion) was released to the NHIS on August 5, 2022, being part of the funds which the commercial banks fraudulently refused to transmit to the Treasury Single Account, TSA, since 2015.
It will be recalled that the commission had in similar fashion on February 10, 2022 released a sum of N1.500, 000,000 (One Billion Five Hundred Million Naira) to the Scheme.
Unlike the banks, however, others caught in fraudulent activities in Enugu will have to face the music.
In a statement, the commission announced that its operatives in the Enugu Zonal Command on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, arrested 45 suspected internet fraudsters from different locations at Trans Ekulu, Enugu.
Listed as suspects, according to Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesman, are: Michael Chidiebere, Ogbu Chekwube, Edeh Peter, Nweze Ifeanyi, Emeka Nwankwo, John Chibuike, Paschal Tochukwu, Eze ifeanyi, Raphael Chukwuemeka .P, Kennwth Akwozo, Chukwuebuka Ogbonna, Chunedu Ephraim.N, Emmanuel Nnaji, Ychenna Nweke.E, Orji Chisom , Eze Emmanuel, Obodoeze Samson, Onyedikachi Samuel, Ikenna Chijioke, James Tochukwu, Uche Obieze and Ekwunife Chinonso.
Others include Adimoranma Christian, Godwin Chukwuemeka, Nnamezie Chidi, Bright Chineme, Vitus Makwe, Nwokeji Joshua Chetachukwu, Nzube Daniel. Stephen Ogbuabor, Sunday Dimeze Chidi, Ebuka Ilouno, Michael Chidere, Ikechukwu Michael, Oferka Frank, Onyia Joseph, Amagba Tochukwu, Ogbuabor Emmanuel, Michael Obi, Emmanuel Chidere, Chijioke Ugwu, Ugwuoko Obinna, Emeka Obilo, Mbah Ebube and Onah Kasie.
“Items recovered from them include five luxury vehicles, several mobile phones and laptops.
“They will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is completed,” EFCC added.