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BREAKING: Court Grants Bail To Former NHIS Boss, Usman Yusuf

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Professor Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

Yusuf is facing multiple corruption charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ruling was delivered by Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu on Thursday morning, though details of the bail conditions remain undisclosed.

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Yusuf was arraigned on five counts of corruption, including embezzlement, abuse of office, and the unlawful award of contracts.

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The EFCC accused him of approving the purchase of a vehicle at an inflated price of ₦49,197,750—far above the allocated ₦30,000,000.

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Additionally, he allegedly awarded a ₦10.1 million training contract to a foundation linked to him, despite only half of the intended beneficiaries participating. Another allegation involved awarding a ₦17.5 million media consultancy contract to his nephew’s company without following due process.

Following his arraignment, Yusuf was remanded in the Kuje correctional facility while awaiting the court’s decision on his bail application, which had been adjourned to February 27.

Despite the charges, Yusuf has dismissed the case as politically motivated.

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In a statement from detention, he accused the government of using security agencies to silence him for his outspoken stance on national issues.

He pointed to a recent speech at a youth summit in Bauchi, where he criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and alleged marginalization of Northern Nigeria.

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Yusuf described his arrest as a “Gestapo-style” operation, claiming security operatives trailed him after the summit before taking him from his home without prior notice.

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He further alleged that while in EFCC custody, he was denied access to legal representation and his family before being transferred to Kuje Prison. In detention, he was placed in the VIP section and encountered various inmates, including those facing terrorism-related charges.

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Reflecting on prison conditions, he remarked, “The conditions of Kuje Prison reminded me of my boarding school days. The real criminals are in government, while our youth waste away in detention.”

Yusuf also accused the government of orchestrating his detention as part of a broader crackdown on dissent, arguing that the EFCC’s goal was to discredit and humiliate him.

The EFCC, however, dismissed his claims as an attempt to deflect attention from the charges. The agency maintained that the allegations against Yusuf were supported by evidence and insisted that his failure to meet the conditions of an earlier administrative bail demonstrated his lack of cooperation with investigators.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

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He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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