Alleged fraud: Court to rule on ex-NHIS boss’s bail application February 27

By Kunle Sanni

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Kuje, Abuja, has adjourned the ruling on the bail application of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, to February 27, 2025.

According to a statement from the EFCC’s official X account, Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the FCT High Court, Kuje, made the decision on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Yusuf is facing a five-count charge of embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud amounting to N90,439,178 (Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Eight Naira).

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Francis Usani opposed the bail application, arguing that the charges had serious implications for the welfare of Nigerians and the country’s reputation.

“The evidence gathered during the investigation is overwhelming and could lead to the defendant’s conviction. Furthermore, the applicant failed to comply with the administrative bail conditions granted earlier, which required him to report bi-weekly to the EFCC,” Usani stated.

He also argued that Yusuf might abscond, alleging that he used political connections to evade arrest. “It took discreet surveillance and high-level intelligence to apprehend him. While in custody, he boasted that the case would not go anywhere because of his strong political ties,” Usani added.

The prosecution further expressed concern that Yusuf could use his influence at NHIS to interfere with witnesses expected to testify in court.

Defence counsel O. I. Habeeb, SAN, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the charges were bailable offences and that Yusuf had met all necessary conditions.

Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned the case to February 27, 2025, for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that Yusuf remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until then.