By Mercy Okpe .
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the remand of Professor Usman Yusuf, a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), at the Kuje Correctional Facility while his bail application is pending.
Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu issued the remand order after Yusuf was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of fraud totaling N90,439,178.00. He faces a five-count charge including embezzlement, conferment of undue advantage, and fraud.
According to the EFCC, Yusuf is accused of abusing his position between 2016 and July 2017, when he allegedly approved the purchase of a vehicle for himself at a cost of N49,197,750, which exceeded the allocated budget of N30,000,000. This act is said to contravene Section 22 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
One of the charges states that Yusuf, while serving as the Executive Secretary of NHIS, knowingly held a private interest in the GK Kanki Foundation and awarded a contract worth N10,100,000.00 for the training of 90 individuals, despite only 45 individuals receiving training.
Another charge details that Yusuf conferred an undue advantage upon himself by awarding a contract for media and public relations consultancy worth N17,500,000.00 to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf.
During the court proceedings, Yusuf denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. Following his plea, the prosecution requested an adjournment to begin the trial. The defense counsel did not oppose this request but asked for Yusuf to remain in the custody of the EFCC until the bail application is resolved.
Justice Nwecheonwu subsequently adjourned the matter to February 12, 2025, for a bail hearing and ordered Yusuf to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Facility in the interim.
