The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje has postponed the arraignment of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, to the 3rd of February, 2025.
The decision came on Thursday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented him in court following his arrest on allegations of fraud.
Yusuf, who was taken into EFCC custody on the 28th of January, was expected to be arraigned immediately.
However, a statement from EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the charges against him required amendments, prompting the court to reschedule the proceedings to the 3rd of February.
During the session, Isah Dokto Haruna, representing the lead defence counsel O.I. Habeeb (SAN), applied for bail on behalf of Yusuf. Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, however, rejected the request, citing the adjournment of his arraignment.
The judge then ruled that Yusuf be remanded in EFCC custody until his next court appearance.
Yusuf’s legal troubles stem from a petition filed during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging financial misconduct. In 2019, Buhari dismissed him from office, following the recommendation of a fact-finding panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The panel accused him of mismanaging N919 million, leading to his eventual removal.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the 3rd of February court session, where Yusuf is expected to formally respond to the fraud allegations against him.