Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje, Abuja has granted bail to the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, for ?5 million with two sureties.
While delivering the bail terms, Justice Nwecheonwu stated that the two sureties must provide proof of means of livelihood, whether business or civil service, as well as valid 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 case to May 15, 2025, for trial.
Yusuf is facing a five-count charge of alleged fraud involving the sum of ?90,439,178.
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 the purchase of a vehicle at an inflated cost of ?49,197,750, far exceeding the budgeted amount of ?30,000,000.
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 programme.
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.
