EFCC Arraigns Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf Over Alleged N90m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, over alleged fraud amounting to N90.4 million.
Yusuf appeared before Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje, facing a five-count charge that includes embezzlement, abuse of office, and awarding contracts without due process.
One of the charges alleges that between 2016 and 2017, Yusuf approved the purchase of a vehicle for himself at N49.2 million, exceeding the allocated budget of N30 million. Another charge claims he unlawfully awarded a N10.1 million contract to GK Kanki Foundation, a company he had personal ties to, for training 90 individuals—though only 45 were actually trained.
Further allegations state that he awarded a N17.5 million media consultancy contract to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, owned by his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf.
Yusuf pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the plea, EFCC counsel Francis Usani requested a trial date, while the defense, led by O.I. Habeeb, SAN, asked the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody.
Justice Nwecheonwu, however, ordered Yusuf’s remand at Kuje Correctional Facility and adjourned the case to February 12, 2025, for a bail hearing.
