By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Usman Yusuf, former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), at his Abuja residence on Wednesday around 4:30 p.m. over allegations of N4 billion fraud.
The arrest was made after an investigation into allegations that he falsely increased the ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and also made payments that exceeded his authorized limit.
Yusuf, a professor of haematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation, is accused of inflating the NHIS ICT budget from N4.975 billion to N8.7 billion and approving payments beyond his authorized limit.
He is also facing scrutiny for allegedly awarding contracts to family members and abusing his office by approving contracts without due process. The EFCC’s investigation was prompted by a 2018 petition accusing Yusuf of fraudulent practices and misconduct during his tenure at NHIS.
According to sources close to the matter, Usman Yusuf is currently in EFCC custody, where he is being questioned in connection with the allegations.
Contracts awarded includes; “Lubekh Nigeria Limited, which has his nephew Khalifa Hassan Yusufu as a director,” a top EFCC source disclosed to Newspeg Magazine that he is also being held for financial mismanagement.
Dele Oyewale the Efcc’s spokesperson has confirmed Mr Yusuf’s arrest to NEWSPEG MAGAZINE.
According to Dele, Mr Yusuf will be arraigned at Court 44 FCT High Court, Kuje.
