A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged contract fraud.
Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu issued the remand order following Yusuf’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on five counts bordering on contract fraud.
Yusuf was accused of abusing his office to confer undue advantages on himself between 2016 and 2017, as well as awarding contracts without following due procurement procedures.
When the charges were read to him, Yusuf pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
His counsel, O.I. Habeeb, requested that his client remain in EFCC custody pending the hearing of his bail application.
However, Justice Nwecheonwu declined the request, stating that once a defendant is arraigned, custody is transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Consequently, the judge ordered Yusuf’s remand at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail application hearing, which is scheduled for February 12, 2025.