A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Professor Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), who is facing multiple corruption charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The bail ruling was delivered on Thursday by Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu following Yusuf’s arraignment on five counts, including embezzlement, abuse of office, and irregular contract awards.
According to the EFCC, Yusuf allegedly inflated the cost of a vehicle purchase to ₦49.1 million against the approved ₦30 million.
He is also accused of awarding a ₦10.1 million training contract to a foundation linked to him, with only half of the participants benefiting.
Additionally, the anti-graft agency claims he funneled a ₦17.5 million media consultancy contract to his nephew’s company without due process.
Yusuf, who was remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility pending his bail hearing, has strongly denied the allegations, describing the case as politically motivated.
In a statement from detention, the former NHIS boss accused the government of targeting him due to his critical views on national issues, particularly his comments at a youth summit in Bauchi, where he criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and alleged marginalization of Northern Nigeria.
He further alleged that his arrest was carried out in a “Gestapo-style operation” without prior notice, and claimed he was denied access to legal counsel and his family during his detention.
The EFCC, however, dismissed Yusuf’s claims, stating that the charges were based on solid evidence and accusing him of attempting to divert attention from the case.
With his bail granted, the legal face-off between Yusuf and the EFCC is expected to intensify as the case proceeds in court.