Court Admits EFCC Documents in Trial of Ex-NHIS Boss, Yusuf

Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, on Wednesday admitted additional documents tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing trial of former National Health Insurance Scheme boss, Professor Usman Yusuf.

The documents were presented by the second prosecution witness, James Balami, Director of Procurement at NHIS, during earlier proceedings held on January 5, 2026.

Ruling on their admissibility on February, Justice Nwecheonwu held that the documents were properly tendered in line with the law and noted that the defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb (SAN), did not raise any objection to their admission. The prosecution counsel in the matter is Francis Usani.

The court admitted and marked as exhibits, certified true copies of letters dated November 11, 2016, marked E1 to E32. Also admitted were the certified true copies of the NHIS Procurement Plan 2016, marked F1 to F4; the NHIS Procurement Plan 2017, marked G1 to G5; and the NHIS Procurement Act 2016, marked H1 to H2.

While being led in evidence by the prosecution, Balami told the court that he honoured an invitation by the EFCC and submitted relevant documents to the commission.

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

However, when the prosecution sought to tender the witness’ extra-judicial statements, 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 objection and continuation of trial.

Yusuf is facing a five-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on alleged embezzlement, conferring undue advantage and fraud involving N90,439,178.00.