The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, has admitted additional documentary exhibits in the ongoing N90.4 million fraud trial involving former National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary, Professor Usman Yusuf.
Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu, on Wednesday, ruled in favour of the prosecution following an oral application by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Francis Usani. The court held that the documents were properly admitted in line with the law, noting that the defence raised no objection to their admissibility.
The exhibits were tendered through the second prosecution witness, James Balami, Director of Procurement at NHIS. Among the documents admitted were Certified True Copies (CTCs) of letters dated November 11, 2016, marked as Exhibits E1–E32; the NHIS Procurement Plan for 2016 (Exhibits F1–F4); the NHIS Procurement Plan for 2017 (Exhibits G1–G5); and the NHIS Procurement Act 2016 (Exhibits H1–H2).
During his testimony, Balami told the court that he was invited by the EFCC after submitting relevant documents to the Commission, adding that he made five statements over several days. However, when the prosecution sought to tender the witness’s extra-judicial statements, the defence counsel, O.I. Habeeb, SAN, objected.
Following arguments from both sides, Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned the matter to May 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the admissibility of the statements and continuation of trial.
Professor Yusuf is facing a five-count charge bordering on embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud amounting to N90,439,178.00.