The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), on allegations of corruption and abuse of office. The arrest, which took place on a Wednesday night, stems from an investigation into Yusuf’s tenure at the NHIS, where he is accused of engaging in several illicit activities for personal gain. The EFCC’s preliminary findings suggest a pattern of fraudulent practices, including awarding contracts to family members, inflating the scheme’s ICT budget, and exceeding his authorized approval limits for payments.
Central to the allegations against Yusuf is the awarding of contracts to companies linked to his family members. One such instance involves Lubekh Nigeria Limited, a company where his nephew, Khalifa Hassan Yusufu, holds a directorship position. This act constitutes a clear conflict of interest and raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the procurement process under Yusuf’s leadership. By awarding contracts to companies with familial ties, he potentially bypassed established procedures and deprived other qualified bidders of a fair opportunity.
Further deepening the allegations against Yusuf is the substantial inflation of the NHIS’s ICT budget. The budget, initially set at N4.975 billion, was inexplicably increased to N8.7 billion under his watch. This significant increase raises red flags about potential misappropriation of funds and warrants a thorough investigation into the justification and utilization of the allocated resources. The EFCC is likely to scrutinize the details of the ICT projects, the procurement processes involved, and the actual expenditures to ascertain the veracity of the inflated budget.
In addition to contract irregularities and budget inflation, Yusuf is also accused of exceeding his approval limit for payments. This unauthorized exercise of financial authority further strengthens the suspicion of financial impropriety and mismanagement of public funds. By exceeding his stipulated limits, Yusuf bypassed the established checks and balances designed to ensure accountability and prevent financial irregularities. This act demonstrates a disregard for established financial protocols and raises concerns about the overall financial governance of the NHIS during his tenure.
The EFCC’s investigation is expected to delve deeper into these allegations, examining the documentary evidence, financial records, and witness testimonies to build a strong case against the former NHIS boss. The commission will likely scrutinize the bidding processes for the contracts awarded to Lubekh Nigeria Limited and other companies, analyze the justifications for the inflated ICT budget, and trace the flow of funds related to the payments exceeding Yusuf’s approval limit. The goal is to establish a clear link between Yusuf’s actions and the alleged financial improprieties.
The arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf highlights the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to combat corruption and promote accountability in public office. The investigation into his activities at the NHIS serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and due process in the management of public funds. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial in determining the extent of the alleged wrongdoing and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. The EFCC’s commitment to pursuing such cases sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated, and those who abuse their positions of power will face the full force of the law.
