Prof. Usman Yusuf, a prominent member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday. A team of EFCC operatives reportedly stormed Yusuf’s residence, taking him into custody.
Yusuf, who previously served as the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has faced a series of allegations stemming from his tenure under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
These allegations include 12 counts of misconduct and fraudulent practices, which were detailed in a petition submitted to the Presidency and the Federal Ministry of Health.
Among the accusations against Yusuf are misappropriation of N860 million allocated for training, awarding contracts in violation of procurement rules, and granting a media consultancy contract to his brother.
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He is also accused of mismanaging funds, colluding with agency heads to authorize payments before goods were delivered, and violating regulations regarding financial assistance to non-enrolled individuals.
Further allegations involve approving payments for substandard goods, inflating contract costs, and misusing his position to bypass the Ministry of Health’s authority.
In a high-profile interview in May 2024, Yusuf criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, claiming that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” had become synonymous with hopelessness, with many Nigerians suffering from poverty and economic hardships.
As of now, attempts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comments have been unsuccessful.