A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Usman Yusuf, a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), at Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu gave the directive on Monday after Yusuf was arraigned on charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yusuf is facing allegations of abuse of office and financial misconduct during his tenure between 2016 and 2017.
The EFCC has accused him of awarding contracts without following due process and using his position to secure undue benefits. He was arraigned on a five-count amended charge but pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, Yusuf’s lawyer, O.I. Habeeb, requested that he remain in EFCC custody until the court hears his bail application.
However, Justice Nwecheonwu declined the request, stating that once a defendant is arraigned, custody is transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Service. The court then ordered his detention at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the hearing of his bail application to February 12, 2025.
Yusuf’s arrest and detention have sparked criticism, particularly from Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Atiku, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that Yusuf’s detention might be politically motivated. He described Yusuf as a strong critic of the government and accused the Tinubu-led administration of using state institutions to suppress opposition.
“It is absurd that while the administration shelters those under investigation, it continues to exploit state institutions to stifle dissent, all under the false pretence of combating corruption.
“Even to the most inattentive, it has become glaringly clear that Tinubu is not waging a war on corruption — he is waging a war on the opposition, manipulating the system for his own political advantage,” he wrote.
The EFCC arrested Yusuf at his residence on January 29. Court documents allege that during his time as NHIS executive secretary, he approved the purchase of a vehicle for N49.2 million, exceeding the approved budget of N30 million.
He is also accused of awarding a contract worth N10.1 million to a foundation in which he had personal interest, for training only 45 people instead of the 90 listed in the contract.
Yusuf was appointed NHIS executive secretary in 2016 by former President Muhammadu Buhari but was later suspended over allegations of corruption. He was eventually removed in 2019 after an administrative leave. His case continues as the court prepares to hear arguments on his bail application.
