A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has granted bail to the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof. Usman Yusuf, who is facing corruption charges.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu, in a ruling on Thursday, ordered Yusuf’s release from the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Kuje, provided he meets the bail conditions set by the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Yusuf on a five-count charge, accusing him of embezzlement and conferring undue advantage upon himself during his tenure at NHIS in 2016.
The anti-graft agency alleged that he approved the purchase of a vehicle for N49,197,750, exceeding the budgeted sum of N30,000,000.
The EFCC also claimed that Yusuf retained a private interest in GK Kanki Foundation and, without due process, awarded a N10.1 million contract to the foundation for training 90 individuals, whereas only 45 trainees were actually involved.
Furthermore, the agency alleged that Yusuf knowingly acquired a personal interest in Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company linked to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf, by awarding it a contract worth N17,500,000 for media and public relations consultancy.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
During the bail hearing, Yusuf’s counsel, O.I. Habeeb (SAN), urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the alleged offences were bailable.
However, the prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, opposed the request, stating that Yusuf had previously failed to comply with an administrative bail granted by the EFCC, which required him to report bi-weekly to the commission’s office.
“It took the respondent (EFCC)’s officers’ discreet surveillance and high-powered intelligence to apprehend the defendant to bring him to court,” Usani told the court.
He further claimed that Yusuf had boasted about his political connections and could evade trial if granted bail.
Despite the prosecution’s objections, the court ruled in favor of granting bail, allowing the defendant to regain his freedom pending trial.
