The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned the arraignment of Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to February 3, 2025. This decision follows a request from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which arrested Yusuf on January 29, 2025, under allegations of fraud and misconduct during his tenure.
Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu ruled that Yusuf would remain in custody pending his arraignment. The EFCC has accused him of serious financial mismanagement, including inflating the NHIS Information and Communication Technology (ICT) budget from ₦4.975 billion to ₦8.7 billion and awarding contracts to family members without due process. Notably, one such contract was awarded to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company linked to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusufu.
These accusations are not new; Professor Yusuf has faced scrutiny since his appointment in August 2016. He was previously relieved of his duties by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 following recommendations from a fact-finding panel that investigated his management practices at NHIS.
The EFCC's investigation into Yusuf's activities was prompted by a petition submitted to the previous administration, detailing various counts of misconduct and fraudulent practices. The commission's spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest but declined further comment as the case proceeds through the judicial system.