Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof. Usman Yusuf, who is facing corruption charges, has shared a detailed account of his treatment at the hands of security forces and Nigerian Correctional Service officials.

Yusuf, a Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation professor, had been an outspoken critic of President Bola Tinubu, his administration, and policies.

His troubles reportedly began after a controversial interview criticizing Nigeria’s growing ties with France, along with other public comments that allegedly disturbed the government.

He was recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and charged with five counts, including alleged embezzlement and self-benefit during his time as NHIA head in 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

On Wednesday, an FCT High Court delayed ruling on his bail request, with Justice Chinyere Nwecheonwu ordering that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until February 27.

Following the decision, Yusuf characterized his situation as part of a government effort to silence him.

Yusuf expressed confidence in his legal team and reiterated his belief that the charges against him were unfounded.

He also thanked his supporters both locally and internationally, stressing that he would not be intimidated by what he described as the authoritarian tactics of President Tinubu’s leadership.

He criticized the government’s response to his criticisms and the surveillance on him and his family.

Yusuf indicated that his ordeal escalated after his remarks at the Northern Youths Summit in Bauchi.

He detailed his detention, beginning with his arrest on January 29, 2025, by EFCC officials who arrived at his home without an arrest warrant.

He described a chaotic scene with his wife and daughter distressed by the encounter. He was transported to EFCC headquarters, where he was interrogated and later detained for several days.

Yusuf recounted his experience in detention, emphasizing the stark conditions and his interactions with other detainees.

Despite the harsh circumstances, he found solace in the respect from fellow inmates and reflected on the stories of those incarcerated, many of whom were awaiting trial for extended periods.

After being transferred to Kuje Prison, he was placed in the segregation unit, a facility for VIP inmates, where he observed the daily lives of prisoners.

He noted the overcrowding and the struggles faced by many detainees, particularly those who had been in prison for years without trial.

Yusuf ended his account by expressing that his time in prison had given him a new perspective on the plight of Nigeria’s incarcerated youth, and he vowed to advocate for change when he is released.