The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), on Wednesday in connection with a N4 billion fraud investigation. EFCC operatives apprehended Yusuf at his Abuja residence around 4:30 p.m. after ongoing probes into allegations that he inflated the NHIS ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and approved payments beyond his authorized limit.
Sources informed PREMIUM TIMES that Yusuf, a professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation, is currently under detention and being questioned by the EFCC. Documents obtained revealed that he is also under investigation for awarding contracts to family members. Specifically, Yusuf is accused of awarding contracts to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company linked to his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusufu, who is a director there.
The former NHIS executive is also facing charges of abuse of office for allegedly using his position for personal gain, including approving contracts without proper procedure and to companies lacking the necessary expertise. These investigations were triggered by a petition filed on October 31, 2018, by Attahiru Ibrahim, which raised concerns about fraudulent activities during Yusuf’s tenure as Executive Secretary of NHIS.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed Yusuf’s arrest, stating, “Yes, Mr Yusuf is in our custody, he’ll be arraigned in court on Thursday.”
