JUSTICE Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje, Abuja, has granted bail to former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties.
Announcing the bail conditions, Justice Nwecheonwu stated that the sureties must provide proof of their means of livelihood, whether from business or civil service, along with valid identification. Their addresses are also to be verified by the prosecution or court staff.
Initially scheduled for April 3, the case was postponed due to the Sallah break and has now been adjourned to May 15, 2025, for trial.
Yusuf is facing a five-count charge of alleged fraud amounting to ₦90,439,178. The charges include abuse of office for personal gain between 2016 and 2017, awarding contracts without adhering to procurement procedures, and inflating the cost of a vehicle purchase to ₦49,197,750—far above the approved ₦30,000,000.
He is also accused of awarding a ₦10.1 million training contract to a foundation linked to him, with only half of the intended participants benefiting from the program.
Additionally, he allegedly granted a ₦17.5 million media consultancy contract to a company owned by his nephew, bypassing standard procurement regulations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Yusuf on February 3, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to all five charges.
