…The court ordered that the former NHIS boss remain in prison until the next hearing on February 12, 2025.

A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the detention of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The court ruled that he should remain in custody until the next hearing on February 12, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Prof. Usman Yusuf with awarding a contract to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf.

According to SaharaReporters, Yusuf was apprehended by EFCC operatives on Wednesday when a large team raided his residence.

Yusuf, who served as the Executive Secretary of NHIS, came under scrutiny during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration after a petition was submitted to the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Court documents obtained by news outlets reveal that the former permanent secretary was arrested on allegations of misappropriating public funds, facing four charges in total.

He is also accused of engaging in fraudulent activities and demonstrating impunity during his time as NHIS Executive Secretary.

One of the charges states: “That you, Prof. Usman Yusuf, between 2016 and July 2017, while serving as Executive Secretary of NHIS in Abuja, used your position to benefit yourself by approving the purchase of a vehicle for N49,197,750, despite the budget allocation being only N30,000,000. This act constitutes an offence under Section 22 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

The second charge reads: “That you, Prof. Usman Yusuf, between 2016 and 2017, while serving as Executive Secretary of NHIS, knowingly held a private interest in the GK Kanki Foundation and without following due process, awarded a contract worth N10.1 million for the purported training of 90 people, though only 45 were trained. This constitutes an offence under Section 45 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.”

Another charge reads: “That you, Prof. Usman Yusuf, between 2016 and 2017, while serving as NHIS Executive Secretary, used your position to secure an undue advantage for yourself by awarding a contract worth N17,500,000 for media and special public relations consultancy to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company owned by your nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf. This act constitutes an offence under Section 22 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”