Former NHIS boss Usman Yusuf remanded in Kuje jail after being arraigned for alleged fraud

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The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) has arraigned Usman Yusuf, the previous govt secretary of the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Scheme (NHIS), on costs of fraud.

Yusuf appeared earlier than Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Excessive Court docket on Monday, February 3, the place he pleaded not responsible to a five-count cost.

Following his arraignment, Yusuf’s counsel, O.I. Habeeb, requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody pending the listening to of his bail software. Nonetheless, the decide dominated that the defendant couldn’t stay in EFCC custody after his arraignment and ordered his remand on the Kuje Correctional Centre. The case was adjourned to February 12 for the bail listening to.

Yusuf, who was appointed as NHIS govt secretary in 2016 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, had beforehand confronted allegations of corruption and mismanagement. He was suspended by the Minister of Well being in 2017 and by the NHIS board in 2018 over alleged irregularities within the administration of the scheme. He was subsequently faraway from his place in 2019 after taking an administrative depart.

In response to court docket paperwork, the EFCC accused Yusuf of abusing his place by approving the acquisition of a car for N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted sum of N30,000,000. He was additionally charged with retaining a non-public curiosity within the GK Kanki Basis, by which he allegedly awarded a N10.1 million contract with out due course of for the coaching of 90 people, regardless of the precise variety of trainees being solely 45.

Yusuf was arrested at his residence by EFCC operatives on January 29. The costs spotlight allegations {of financial} mismanagement throughout his tenure as NHIS govt secretary, including to the controversies surrounding his time on the company.

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