An Abuja High Court has received additional documentary evidence in the trial of former National Health Insurance Scheme boss, Professor Usman Yusuf, over an alleged N90.4 million fraud.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje delivered the ruling on Wednesday, the 25th of February, 2026. The case was instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The documents were earlier tendered by the prosecution’s second witness, James Balami, Director of Procurement at the NHIS, during proceedings held on the 5th of January, 2026.
At the resumed sitting, prosecuting counsel Francis Usani asked the court to formally admit the documents in evidence. Justice Nwecheonwu granted the request, stating that the proper procedure had been followed. She also observed that defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN, did not oppose their admission.
The admitted materials include certified true copies of letters dated the 11th of November, 2016, marked as Exhibits E1 to E32. The court also accepted copies of the NHIS Procurement Plans for 2016 and 2017, marked as Exhibits F1 to F4 and G1 to G5, as well as a certified true copy of the NHIS Procurement Act 2016, marked as Exhibits H1 to H2.
While giving evidence, Balami narrated his interaction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after he was invited for questioning.
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“After I took those documents to the Commission, I made statements. The statements were not made in one day. I can recognise the statements. There are five,” he said in a statement by EFCC on its X handle.
When the prosecution attempted to tender the witness’s extra-judicial statements, the defence objected, prompting arguments from both sides on their admissibility.
Following submissions by counsel, Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned the matter to the 13th and 14th of May, 2026, when the court will rule on whether the statements will be admitted and proceed with the trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Yusuf on a five-count charge bordering on embezzlement, abuse of office, and fraud amounting to N90,439,178. He has denied the allegations.