Court Reschedules Arraignment of Former NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuchiako, Kuje, has rescheduled the arraignment of Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), in connection with fraud charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The new date for the arraignment is set for February 3, 2025.

The court’s decision to defer the proceedings follows Yusuf’s appearance before the court on Thursday, January 30, 2025, after being arrested by EFCC operatives the previous day. The EFCC had apprehended Yusuf on allegations of fraud, leading to the planned arraignment.

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, presiding over the case, rescheduled the hearing to allow for the amendment of charges. The court also rejected an application for Yusuf’s bail, which was made by his defense counsel, Isah Dokto Haruna, who represented O.I. Habeeb, SAN, the lead defense lawyer. The judge ruled that Yusuf be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until the rescheduled hearing.

The case will resume on February 3, 2025, when Yusuf will be formally arraigned.