Court Adjourns Arraignment of Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf to February 3, 2025

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Kuje has postponed the arraignment of former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, Professor Usman Yusuf, to February 3, 2025.

According to JOINTEARN, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Yusuf on Wednesday and presented him in court on Thursday for arraignment on fraud allegations. However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that the arraignment was rescheduled to Monday to allow for an amendment of the charges.

During the court session, defence counsel Isah Dokto Haruna, representing lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, applied for bail on behalf of Yusuf. The court denied the request due to the defendant’s pending arraignment.

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu ordered Yusuf’s remand in EFCC custody and adjourned the case to February 3, 2025.

Yusuf’s arrest and trial stem from a petition submitted to the Federal Government during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, alleging misconduct and fraudulent practices. In 2019, Buhari dismissed Yusuf following a recommendation by a fact-finding panel set