The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned the arrest and continued detention of Prof. Usman Yusuf, the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Prof. Yusuf has recently emerged as a vocal critic of the current administration, calling out policy failings and demanding good governance, transparency, and accountability.
In a statement released by Com. Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the National Coordinator of CNG, the arrest is seen as “a clear attempt to silence critics of the government while shielding corrupt individuals.”
The CNG acknowledged that the EFCC has the mandate to arrest individuals suspected of wrongdoing. However, they reject the politically motivated silencing of critics.
The group said “Such acts of political suppression set a dangerous precedent and threaten the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy.“
Demand for Yusuf’s Release
The CNG demands the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Yusuf, telling the government that, “Democracy thrives on dialogue, debate, and the free exchange of ideas, not on the suppression of dissenting voices.“
The group also warned that continued repression will fuel greater resistance and deepen mistrust between the leadership and the people.
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The CNG calls on civil society organizations, the media, and the international community to take note of this trend and hold the government accountable for actions that threaten Nigeria’s democratic successes.
Usman Yusuf’s Arrest
Prof. Usman Yusuf, a renowned Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant specialist, was arrested on January 29, 2025, at his Abuja residence by EFCC operatives.
He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in the FCT on January 30, 2025, but the case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) – a powerful political think tank in Northern Nigeria also condemned the arrest, insisting it was politically motivated.
Yusuf is charged with offences he allegedly committed while in office in 2017.
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