FCT Court Grants Bail to Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf Amid Corruption Charges
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), who faces multiple corruption charges leveled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu delivered the ruling on Thursday morning, though the exact conditions of Yusuf’s bail have not been revealed as of the time of filing. Yusuf was arraigned on five charges, including embezzlement, abuse of office, and unlawful contract awards.
The EFCC accuses Yusuf of approving the purchase of a vehicle at an inflated price of N49,197,750, which far exceeded the budgeted sum of N30,000,000. Additionally, he allegedly awarded a N10.1 million training contract to a foundation connected to him, despite only half of the intended beneficiaries participating. He is also accused of steering a N17.5 million media consultancy contract to a company owned by his nephew without following the required procedures.
After his arraignment, Yusuf was remanded in Kuje correctional facility while awaiting the court’s decision on his bail application, which was originally scheduled for February 27.
Despite facing serious allegations, Yusuf insists that his arrest is politically motivated. In a statement from detention, he accused the government of using security agencies to intimidate him because of his vocal criticism of national issues. He pointed to a speech he delivered at a youth summit in Bauchi, where he condemned the economic policies of President Tinubu’s administration and alleged the marginalization of Northern Nigeria.
Yusuf described his arrest as being reminiscent of a Gestapo-style operation, claiming that EFCC agents trailed him after the summit and apprehended him without prior notice. He also alleged that he was denied access to legal counsel and his family during his detention with the EFCC.
Upon his transfer to Kuje Prison, Yusuf was placed in the VIP section, where he interacted with a range of inmates, including those facing terrorism-related charges. He shared disturbing accounts of overcrowded detention facilities and inmates who had languished in prison without trial for years. Reflecting on his experience, Yusuf likened the conditions in Kuje Prison to his boarding school days, but he also lamented that “the real criminals are in government, while our youth waste away in detention.”
Yusuf further accused the government of using his detention as part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent. He claimed the EFCC’s real aim was to dehumanize him and damage his reputation.
However, the EFCC has rejected Yusuf’s claims, stating that they are merely a diversion to avoid facing justice. The anti-graft agency maintains that the charges against him are well-supported by evidence and pointed out that Yusuf had failed to comply with an earlier administrative bail condition, highlighting his reluctance to cooperate with investigators.
