Court Remands Ex-NHIS Boss In Kuje Prison Over Alleged Fraud

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, Usman Yusuf, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu issued the order on Monday after Yusuf was arraigned on a five-count amended charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of abusing his office and awarding contracts without due process between 2016 and 2017.

Yusuf pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer, O.I. Habeeb, requested that he be held in EFCC custody pending his bail hearing, but the court rejected the plea, ruling that custody is automatically transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Service upon arraignment.

The court scheduled February 12, 2025, for the bail hearing.

Meanwhile, Yusuf’s detention has drawn criticism, notably from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who suggested that the case may be politically motivated.

Atiku alleged that the Tinubu administration is using state power to silence critics while ignoring corruption within its own ranks.

The case continues to generate public and political reactions as the trial progresses.