Ex-NHIS Boss Usman Yusuf Faces Trial Over Alleged ₦90.4m Misconduct

The trial of former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, over alleged financial misconduct involving ₦90,439,178 is continuing before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Kuje, Abuja.

Yusuf is facing a five-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged embezzlement, conferring undue advantage and fraud. The case is being heard by Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu. The next sitting is scheduled for October 14, 2026, according to the case record maintained.

Yusuf was first arraigned on February 3, 2025, and pleaded not guilty to all five counts. The EFCC alleges that the offences occurred largely between 2016 and 2017, when Yusuf was serving as Executive Secretary of the NHIS. 

 What the EFCC alleges

One of the central allegations concerns the purchase of an official vehicle. The prosecution alleges that Yusuf approved the purchase of a vehicle for ₦49.197 million, despite an appropriated budget of ₦30 million. The EFCC says the transaction amounted to the use of his position to confer an unfair advantage on himself. 

Another count concerns an alleged ₦10.1 million training contract awarded to GK Kanki Foundation. According to the charge reported at the time of arraignment, the contract was purportedly for the training of 90 people, while the prosecution alleges that only 45 participants were actually trained.

The EFCC also alleges that Yusuf awarded a ₦17.5 million media and special public-relations consultancy contract to Lubekh Nigeria Limited, an entity allegedly owned by his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusuf. The commission says the award involved a private interest and was made without following the required procurement process. 

The case summary places the total value of the allegations at ₦90,439,178 and says the alleged conduct included using public office to confer undue advantage and bypassing procurement requirements. 

Trial moves into evidence

The prosecution has begun presenting evidence to support its case. In proceedings in January 2026, James Balami, Director of Procurement at the NHIS, testified for the EFCC.

The court subsequently admitted additional procurement documents into evidence on February 25, 2026. The exhibits reportedly included certified copies of correspondence from November 2016, NHIS procurement plans covering 2016 and 2017, and procurement-related documents. The defence did not object to their admission. 

The prosecution had also sought to tender statements made by the witness during the EFCC investigation, but the defence objected, leading to further arguments over their admissibility. 

Bail granted

Following his arraignment, Yusuf was initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of his bail application. Justice Nwecheonwu subsequently granted him bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with two sureties required to provide evidence of their means of livelihood and valid identification. 

The former NHIS chief has consistently denied the allegations by pleading not guilty.

The case remains at the prosecution stage, meaning the EFCC is still presenting evidence in support of its charges. The allegations against Yusuf have not been established as facts, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until the court determines otherwise.