By Nigerian News24 staff
Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to stifle criticism and silence opposing voices through intimidation and unlawful detention.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Sunday, Yusuf recounted his recent arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he described as a politically motivated attempt to suppress his critical stance against government policies.
In February, Yusuf was arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud. He pleaded not guilty.
Describing his experience in detention, Yusuf referred to his time in Kuje prison as a period of “retreat for rest, prayers, and reflection” that ultimately strengthened his resolve. He alleged that the arrest, which took place on January 29, was executed without an arrest warrant.
“At about 6:30 p.m., some men entered my home claiming to be from the EFCC. They walked in without introducing themselves until I insisted. They showed me their badges and said they had come to take me in,” Yusuf explained.
He further claimed that he was denied the chance to change clothes and that his wife was prevented from bringing him a change. According to him, he was transported to the EFCC office in a bus, flanked by armed personnel who behaved as if they had apprehended a high-profile criminal.
Yusuf said he spent six days in EFCC custody before being arraigned and denied bail due to the judge’s reported illness. He was then remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility for an additional 24 days.
“The denial of bail was unconstitutional,” Yusuf argued. “Bail is a guaranteed right unless you are charged with terrorism or capital offences, which I was not. The government used this process to shake me down and send a message.”
He criticized what he called a growing trend under President Tinubu to suppress opposition voices, contrasting it with Tinubu’s own past as a NADECO activist who fought against military rule.
“This is a president who once sought asylum while fighting for democracy. Now, he seeks to turn Nigeria into a one-party state by crushing dissent. We will not sit idly and allow that to happen,” Yusuf said.
Yusuf, appointed NHIS Executive Secretary in 2016 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was first suspended in 2017 over allegations of misconduct. He was later removed from office in 2019.