Alleged N90m fraud: Court admits ex-NHIS boss Yusuf to ₦5m bail

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, for₦5 million with two sureties.

Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu, on Thursday, while delivering the bail terms, stated that the two sureties must provide proof of means of livelihood as well as valid identification.

Justice Nwecheonwu held that “Bail has been granted for a bond of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum each. The sureties must show proof of means of livelihood, whether business or civil service.

“The sureties must also provide valid means of identification, and their addresses are to be verified by the prosecution or court staff.”

Although the case was initially adjourned to April 3, the date was vacated due to the Sallah break, which falls within that period. The court subsequently adjourned the trial to May 15, 2025.

Yusuf is facing a five-count charge of alleged fraud involving the sum of ₦90,439,178.00 (Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Seventy-Eight Naira only).

He is accused of abusing his office to gain undue advantages between 2016 and 2017. The charges also include allegations of awarding contracts without following proper procurement procedures.

One of the accusations involves Yusuf authorising purchase of a vehicle at an inflated cost of ₦49,197,750, far exceeding the budgeted amount of ₦30,000,000.

Additionally, he allegedly awarded a ₦10.1 million training contract to a foundation linked to him, with only half of the intended beneficiaries participating in the program.

Yusuf is further accused of awarding a ₦17.5 million media consultancy contract to a company owned by his nephew, bypassing standard procurement guidelines.

The EFCC arraigned Yusuf on February 3, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to all five counts when the charges were read to him.