FCT High Court defers arraignment of ex-NHIA boss to Feb 3

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court judge, Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, has deferred the arraignment of Umar Yusuf to February 3.

Yusuf was the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Agency (NHIS).

Appointed in 2016, Yusuf’s tenure was riddled with controversies and several allegations.

The Guardian earlier reported that the former NHIA head, who has been accused of inflating the agency’s ICT budget and approving payments beyond his approval limit, was set to be arraigned in court today.

Other allegations against him include approving contracts without due process, awarding contracts to firms that lacked the competence to execute projects, abusing office, and using his position for personal gain.

READ ALSO: Former NHIA director to be arraigned today

Yusuf was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday and appeared before the court on Thursday.

Yusuf’s legal counsel made a bail application, but the court turned down the application.

“The arraignment was, however, moved to Monday to allow for amendment of the charges.

“Though defence counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who held brief for the lead defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN, made an application for bail, it was turned down by the court on account of the defendant’s deferred arraignment,” the EFCC announced on Thursday.

The judge also ruled that Yusuf be remanded in the EFCC’s custody until he appears before the court on February 3.