$2.1m Seized Cash: I’m Not Running From EFCC, Says Ex-NHIS Boss, Femi Thomas

Femi ThomasA former Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Femi Thomas, has described as untrue, reports that the he is on the run to escape arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

We’d reported on Thursday that Dr. Thomas went underground after a bureau de change operator, Mr. Ibiteye John Bamidele, was arrested with $2.1million (N413million) at MMA Terminal 2 (MMA2) Lagos by NDLEA officials. During interrogation, the suspect claimed that the money belonged to the former NHIS boss.

After confirming the money was not proceeds of narcotics, the NDLEA handed over Mr. Ibiteye to the EFCC for further investigation.

However, efforts to locate Mr. Thomas at his known addresses were unsuccessful, leading to plans by the anti-graft commission to declare him wanted.

“We have plans to declare the man wanted. We urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Commission or the nearest police station”, the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said.

Speaking in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Sola Adeyemi, on Thursday, Mr. Thomas said he was in the country and ready to honour the invitation of the EFCC whenever he is summoned.

“Dr. Femi Thomas is a law-abiding public individual that has traceable addresses in Lagos and Ekiti. As of this moment, we are yet to receive any formal invitation from any quarter on the allegation.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Thomas is not on the run; he is in Nigeria. He is available and ready to present himself to EFCC as soon as he is invited”, the statement read.