Court remands ex-NHIS chief, ruling on bail set for Feb 27

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, adjourned till February 27 for ruling on the bail application of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Professor Usman Yusuf.

Yusuf was arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud to the tune of N90.4 million.

Arguing against the application for bail, prosecution counsel Francis Usani, in a counter-affidavit, informed the court that the offences alleged against the defendant impact the general well-being of the common man in Nigeria.

“The evidence elicited in the course of investigation against the defendant is overwhelming and can lead to the defendant being convicted by the court.

“I know for a fact that the applicant failed to comply with the administrative bail conditions granted him by the respondent to report regularly and bi-weekly to the respondent’s office while he was under investigation,” Usani said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on its ‘X’ space, added that Usani further argued that the defendant, if granted bail, would abscond and would not be available to face his trial as the weight of the evidence against him was very strong and compelling.

“It took the respondent’s officers discreet surveillance and high-powered intelligence to apprehend the defendant for the purpose of bringing him to court. The defendant has boasted publicly, even while in the custody of the respondent, that this case will go nowhere as he is highly and politically connected.

“Usani further informed the court that the prosecution believed the defendant is still highly connected and has tremendous influence at the NHIS to tamper with and influence most of the respondent’s witnesses that will come from the NHIS to testify before the court.

“He further submitted that it was the duty of the defendant to place cogent, sufficient and compelling facts before the court upon which the court would consider his application for bail.

“It is very clear from the affidavit evidence deposed to by Bashir Yusuf in support of the application for bail that the defendant has not supplied materials to persuade this honourable court to grant his prayer, nor asked the respondent to show reason why bail should not be granted,” EFCC explained.

However, counsel to the defendant, O. I. Habeeb, SAN, in a motion on notice, informed the court that the defence was praying for an order of the court to admit the defendant to bail pending his trial on such terms and conditions as the court may deem fit to impose.

He also prayed for any further order the court may decide to make, adding that the offences for which the defendant is charged are bailable and that he has satisfied all the necessary conditions for him to be admitted to bail on liberal terms.

Thereafter, Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned the matter for ruling on the bail application to February 27, 2025, while holding the order of remanding the defendant in Kuje Correctional Centre pending ruling.