Court Admits EFCC Documents in Trial of Former NHIS Boss, Usman Yusuf

Court Admits EFCC Documents in Trial of Former NHIS Boss, Usman Yusuf

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting at Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, admitted in evidence additional documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, Usman Yusuf.

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The documents were presented through the second prosecution witness, James Balami, Director of Procurement at NHIS, who had earlier tendered them during the January 5, 2026 proceedings.

Ruling on their admissibility following an oral application by the prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, Justice Nwecheonwu held that the documents were properly admitted in line with the law. The court also noted that the defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN, raised no objection to their admission.

Consequently, the court admitted and marked the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of letters dated November 11, 2016 as Exhibits E1–E32. Also admitted were the CTC of the NHIS Procurement Plan for 2016, marked F1–F4; the CTC of the NHIS Procurement Plan for 2017, marked G1–G5; and the CTC of the NHIS Procurement Act 2016, marked H1–H2.

While being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, the witness narrated his interaction with the EFCC following his invitation by the commission.

“After I took the documents to the Commission, I made statements. The statements were not made in one day. I can recognize the statements. There are five,” Balami told the court.

However, when the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statements of the witness in evidence, the defence counsel objected.

Following arguments and counter-arguments from both parties on the admissibility of the statements, Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned the matter to May 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of the extra-judicial statements and continuation of trial.

Yusuf is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud, involving the alleged sum of ₦90,439,178.00.

Court Admits EFCC Documents in Trial of Former NHIS Boss, Usman Yusuf