The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Usman Yusuf, the former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), on charges of fraud.
Yusuf appeared before Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday, February 3, where he pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge.
Following his arraignment, Yusuf’s counsel, O.I. Habeeb, requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application. However, the judge ruled that the defendant could not remain in EFCC custody after his arraignment and ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to February 12 for the bail hearing.
Yusuf, who was appointed as NHIS executive secretary in 2016 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, had previously faced allegations of corruption and mismanagement. He was suspended by the Minister of Health in 2017 and by the NHIS board in 2018 over alleged irregularities in the administration of the scheme. He was subsequently removed from his position in 2019 after taking an administrative leave.
According to court documents, the EFCC accused Yusuf of abusing his position by approving the purchase of a vehicle for N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted sum of N30,000,000. He was also charged with retaining a private interest in the GK Kanki Foundation, through which he allegedly awarded a N10.1 million contract without due process for the training of 90 individuals, despite the actual number of trainees being only 45.
Yusuf was arrested at his residence by EFCC operatives on January 29. The charges highlight allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure as NHIS executive secretary, adding to the controversies surrounding his time at the agency.
