The arraignment of Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), was rescheduled to February 3, 2025, by Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuchiako, Kuje, on Thursday.
Yusuf, who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, was initially set to appear in court on Thursday to face fraud charges.
However, the court adjourned the proceedings to Monday to allow for amendments to the charges, as stated by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
Despite an application for bail filed by defence counsel Isah Dokto Haruna, who stood in for lead counsel O.I. Habeeb, SAN, the court denied the request due to the postponement of Yusuf’s arraignment.
Justice Nwecheonwu ruled that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody until the new date for his arraignment.
Yusuf’s arrest followed a raid on his residence by EFCC operatives on Wednesday, stemming from a petition submitted to the former presidency under President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Ministry of Health, which detailed allegations of misconduct and fraudulent activities.
Yusuf was dismissed from his position as NHIS Executive Secretary in 2019, seven months after a fact-finding panel recommended his removal over claims of mismanagement involving N919 million.
