Suspended Yobe PHC boss takes responsibility for diversion of food supplements

The Director of the Primary Health Care (PHC) in Nangere Local Government Area of Yobe State, Ibrahim Lawan, has accepted responsibility for the diversion of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) under his care.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the state’s PHC Board had suspended Mr Lawal for “diverting and misusing” the food supplements.

Adamu Abba, the board’s spokesperson, who announced the suspension on Wednesday in Damaturu, said that a five-member committee had been set up to investigate the matter.

But while reacting to the allegations in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Lawan said he and some staffers of the PHC “actually tampered” with the therapeutic food supplements.

“Actually, I and some of my staffers have tampered with some of the therapeutic food supplements, but the quantity is not as much as they are alleging.

“The allegation was that I diverted about 120 cartons. This is not true.

“However, I take responsibility for all that happened since I was the leader at the time.

“I am appealing to the state government to temper justice with mercy, since I have cooperated and made investigation easier for them,” he said

NAN reports that the PHC board, while announcing Mr Lawan’s indefinite suspension, named Ibrahim Disa as acting director of the PHC in Nangere pending the outcome of the investigation.

The investigation committee is also expected to recommend a strategy for ensuring accountability in the distribution of supplements and other medical consumables.

NAN reports that RUTF is a packaged highly nutritious food supplement used in treating severe and acute malnourished children.

(NAN)