The FCT High Court, in Kuje, postponed its ruling on the bail application of Professor Usman Yusuf, the former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), who is facing corruption charges.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu announced that the decision will be made on February 27.
In the interim, Justice Nwecheonwu ordered that Yusuf remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kuje until the ruling is delivered.
Yusuf, who served as NHIS boss in 2016, is facing five charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges include allegations of embezzlement and self-enrichment through the approval of a vehicle purchase costing N49,197,750, far exceeding the N30,000,000 budgeted for it.
Additionally, he is accused of improperly awarding a N10.1 million contract for the training of 90 individuals, though only 45 received training and of improperly retaining a personal interest in a corporate entity, where he awarded a N17.5 million contract to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf, for media and public relations services.
Yusuf has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the bail hearing, prosecution counsel Francis Usani argued that Yusuf had failed to comply with the conditions of an administrative bail previously granted to him by the EFCC, which required him to report bi-weekly.
Usani also expressed concerns that Yusuf might abscond, citing the defendant’s alleged claims of political connections that could facilitate his flight from justice.
“It took the EFCC’s officers discreet surveillance and high-level intelligence to apprehend the defendant and bring him to court,” Usani noted.
In contrast, the defense counsel, O.I. Habeeb (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, asserting that the charges against Yusuf are ordinarily bailable offenses.
The court will deliver its ruling on the bail application on February 27.
