Ex-NHIS boss to remain in EFCC custody as court adjourns trial

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuje, has deferred the arraignment of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, to Monday, February 3, 2025.

Yusuf, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, was brought before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu on Thursday for his scheduled arraignment on allegations of fraud. However, the court adjourned the case to allow for amendment of charges.

An EFCC statement on Thursday revealed this.

During the brief session, defense counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, sought bail for the defendant, but the judge declined the request due to the postponed arraignment.

“In the absence of a formal arraignment, bail at this stage is premature,” Justice Nwecheonwu ruled, ordering that Yusuf remain in EFCC custody until his next court appearance.

The case is set to resume on February 3, 2025, when the former NHIS boss will be formally arraigned.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reports that operatives of the EFCC have arrested  Yusuf, for allegedly awarding contracts to family members while in office.

Yusuf was also accused of inflating the scheme’s ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and approving payments beyond his approval limit.

Credible sources in the commission had told our correspondent that the ex-NHIS boss was arrested on Wednesday night and would be arrianged on Thursday.

When contacted, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale confirmed Yusuf’s arrest and declined further comment.