From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, yesterday shifted the arraignment of the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, to February 3, 2025.
Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, rescheduled the hearing after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sought time to amend the charges against the former NHIS boss.
The EFCC had arrested Yusuf on Wednesday, January 29, and took him to the court yesterday for arraignment to answer some fraudulent allegations against him.
Meanwhile, Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the commission confirmed that the arraignment was moved to next week Monday to accommodate amendments to the charges.
Despite an application for bail by defence counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for lead defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN, the court declined the request, citing the deferred arraignment.
Justice Nwecheonwu subsequently adjourned the case and ordered that Yusuf remain in EFCC custody until his arraignment next week Monday.
In 2018, Yusuf was alleged to have awarded contracts to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company where his nephew Khalifa Hassan Yusufu is a director.
He was also accused of inflating the ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and approving payments without due process.
The investigation into these allegations was prompted by a petition dated October 31, 2018, signed by Attahiru Ibrahim.
The petition alleged fraudulent practices and impunity perpetrated by Yusuf,a professor ,during his tenure as Executive Secretary of NHIS.