The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme ,NHIS, Usman Yusuf, on a five-count amended charge, bordering on alleged fraud.
Yusuf, a known critic of the President Bola TInubu’s administration was arrested last week on accusation of abuse of office, fraud and awarding contracts to family members, among others.
His arrest sparked condemnation by those who believe he is being victimized for being critical of the Tinubu administration.
However, Yusuf pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Counsel to the defendant, O.I Habeeb, thereafter requested that his client be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the hearing of the bail application.
The trial judge, Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu, however, pointed out that once the defendant was arraigned, he ceased to be in the custody of the EFCC.
She subsequently adjourned the case to February 12, 2025, and ordered that Yusuf be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, pending the hearing of his bail application.
The former NHIS Executive Secretary is being accused of using his office to confer undue advantages to himself between 2016 and 2017.
He also allegedly awarded contracts without following the due procurement process.
