LUTH : Presidency Orders Full-Scale Probe Into Alleged Flawed Appointment Of CMD

The last is yet to be heard about the widespread criticisms which trailed the alleged flawed nomination process leading to the appointment of the current Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo.

Following the series of protests and petitions against the appointment, the Presidency has at last ordered full-scale investigation into how Prof Adeyemo was handed a letter of appointment barely one week into assumption of office of President Bola Tinubu without the President’s authorization.

It would be recalled that the selection process of who to succeed erstwhile LUTH CMD, Prof Chris Bode whose tenure ended on March 24, 2023, remained inconclusive till the exit of former President Muhammadu Buhari as at May 29, this year.

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Curiously however, some highly connected officials of the Federal Ministry of Health were alleged to have hurriedly despatched a letter appointing Prof Adeyemo as substantive CMD, acting on a purported Presidential approval signed on Sunday May 28, 2023 at a time Buhari already performed official hand over to President Tinubu two days earlier on Friday 26th May.

What remained more baffling to The Presidency was that out of the six Federal Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria which had interview processes for CMDs conducted same day and remained inconclusive, only LUTH was hurriedly finalized by the concerned top echelon of the Health Ministry, taking advantage of the transition of government.

Miffed by the development, President Tinubu through his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has directed full probe to establish the culpability of officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and former key Presidency top shots connected with the embarrassing usurpation of the President’s power.

A leaked memo dated 17th October, 2023 referenced: 58787/S.1/C.1/300, emanating from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, indicated that the Presidency has swung into action and has demanded written report from the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof Ali Pate on what transpired throughout the interview selection process.

In the said letter signed on the SGF’s behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Nnamdi Maurice Mbieri, the SGF directed that the Health Minister should be prompt in his response to “enable government take further necessary action on the matter”.

Upon receipt of the memo, the Health Minister directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Daju Kachollom to explain why the Ministry hurriedly issued letter of appointment to the LUTH CMD in substantive capacity when the relevant due-diligence agencies of government especially the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had not yet given final clearance on the process.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr Kachollom reportedly asserted that none of the present actors in the Ministry was in office when the alleged infractions leading to the LUTH leadership tussle took place.

Her words: “I wasn’t there when that was done. And I assure you that justice will be done. We will look at what has been done and everything will be done according to the books”.

Indeed, she said the Tinubu Administration has zero tolerance for anything not in line with laid down administrative procedures and as such counselled the media to exhibit trust that this government would always demonstrate fairness and would redress any wrong if any.

With the latest development, it is apparent that the Tinubu-led Government may soon direct a fresh selection interview process in which the embattled CMD, Prof Wasiu Adeyemo and the aggrieved contender, Prof. Femi Fasanmade, a former Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), would slug it out in a most transparent manner.

Through various petitions addressed to The Presidency and the Health Ministry, Prof Fasanmade had stridently challenged the emergence of Prof Adeyemo, first as Ag. CMD since he was the most senior and predecessor as CMAC while Adeyemo also served as his Deputy.

In the petition, Prof Fasanmade faulted the selection process, glaring irregularities and the scoring formula which he alleged was masterminded by the immediate past Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire to impose Prof Adeyemo at all costs as CMD.

The main plank of his argument is that the foundational error committed by the now dissolved Governing Board of LUTH led by Alhaji Sali Bello whose four-year tenure already expired more than six months when it still went ahead to appoint Prof Adeyemo as Ag. CMD and despite the fact that he was not the most Senior Consultant in LUTH.

This, he further said, was what made the Health Ministry rely on the appointment to make decisions that influenced the overall procedure especially awarding undeserved scores which gave Prof Adeyemo the supposed edge.