Court Orders Remand of Former NHIS Boss, Usman Yusuf

A Nigerian court has ordered the remand of ex-NHIS Executive Secretary, Usman Yusuf, amid ongoing legal proceedings. 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Kuje, Abuja, on Thursday directed that Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), be held in custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu’s court has ruled that the former NHIS boss will stay in EFCC custody until his formal arraignment, which is now set for February 3, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that the EFCC arrested Yusuf on Wednesday, January 29, 2024 and brought him before the court for arraignment on fraud charges on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

However, the arraignment was rescheduled to Monday to allow for changes in the charges.

Although defense counsel Isah Dokto Haruna, standing in for lead defense attorney O.I. Habeeb, SAN, requested bail, the court denied the application due to the defendant’s postponed arraignment.

Judge Nwecheonwu postponed the case until February 3, 2025, for arraignment and ordered that the defendant remain in custody of the Commission.