A FORMER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Usman Yusuf, was on Monday remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre by the High Court Sitting in Abuja, Nigeria.
The court presided by Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu gave the order when Yusuf was arraigned and took his plea.
The Explainer had reported that EFCC raided Yusuf’s house and arrested him, accusing him of awarding contracts without adhering to the due procurement process.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned and levelled five counts of amended charge bordering on alleged fraud.
However, Yusuf pleaded not guilty to all five counts when the charges were read to him.
READ MORE: Attempts To Link Obasa’s Impeachment to Seyi Tinubu’s ‘Guber Aspiration’ Mischievous (3)
Yusuf’s counsel, O.I. Habeeb, afterwards, requested that his client be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the bail application. The trial judge, however, declined the request.
Justice Nwecheonwu ruled that once a defendant is arraigned, custody is transferred from the EFCC to the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Social Media Users Reacted Over Arrest Of Usman
Some X users had taken to social media to react to the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf. The users had maintained that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is silencing critics over his non-performance.
An X user, @abbkar_ai reacted that a notable voice is being silenced from Arewa.
READ ALSO: FG Backs Local HIV Drug, Test Kit Production as Trump Halts Funding
His caption reads, “Prof. Usman Yusuf, a notable voice from Arewa who has been outspoken against the Tinubu’s poor governance, was unjustly arrested and detained. Unfortunately, our concentration seems to be diverted towards Safeerah and Ahmad xm at the moment”.
Another X user, @OfficialAzzaki Posted, “ Prof. Usman Yusuf, a fearless voice for Arewa, has been unjustly detained for speaking the truth about Tinubu’s government. Yet, our people are busy discussing Auren Safeerah. When will Arewa start focusing on real issues?”.
Another X user, @ Rasheethe, similarly posted that Prof. Usman Yusuf, a prominent voice from Arewa, criticized the Tinubu government and was unfairly detained. Unfortunately, Arewa’s attention is currently focused on Auren Safeerah. We are not serious Alaji”.
Engr_Abdulmalik reacted with, “This will never happen to our Southern counterpart. Prof. Usman Yusuf, The only voice we have from Arewa who has been outspoken against Tinubu’s poor governance was unjustly arrested. But our Arewa Twitter are busy talking about Ahmad & safeera wedding.#freeprofusmanyusuf ✊
Another X user, @IY_Jimeta similarly posted that his arrest is retaliation for Tinubu’s critics.
His caption reads, “Prof. Usman Yusuf’s arrest is a clear retaliation for his criticism of the @officialABAT @NigeriaGov Tinubu administration. Yusuf awarded a contract to his nephew’s company, and due process was followed. Meanwhile, the biggest road contract was awarded.”.
