Alleged $2.1m Fraud: Ex-NHIS Boss, Femi Thomas Knows Fate July 24

Court

By JUMOKE SANNI

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on May 29, 2025, adjourned till July 24, 2025 for judgment the alleged $2,198,900.00 ( Two Million One Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred United States of America Dollars) fraud involving Dr. Olufemi Martins Thomas,

a former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS.

Thomas is standing trial alongside Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change operator, on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.00 brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Six of the counts that concern Thomas border on money laundering and transferring, in cash, proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

The second, however, is facing trial only on count six bordering on making false statements to an official of the EFCC.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas (a.k.a Dr.

Ike), the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, on or about the 3rd of July, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured Mrs. Femi Thomas to disguise the unlawful origin of the sum of $2, 198, 900 (Two million, One Hundred and Ninety-eight Thousand, Nine Hundred United States Dollars) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012).”