The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has strongly condemned the arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf, a renowned academic and hematology-oncology expert by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as politically-motivated.

According to a press statement released by the NEF, Professor Yusuf was taken into custody at his Abuja residence on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, around 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, the Professor was arraigned before the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), presided over by Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu. However, the case was adjourned and rescheduled for February 3, 2025.
Professor Yusuf, a distinguished scholar with an impeccable reputation, is widely respected for his contributions to medicine and his unwavering integrity. He specialises in hematology-oncology and bone-marrow transplantation, fields in which he has earned national and international acclaim.
In a press statement issued on January 30, the Northern Elders Forum condemned the arrest, describing it as politically-motivated. The NEF accused the administration of using the EFCC to suppress dissenting voices and intimidate individuals who challenge its policies and governance. His arrest, it said, is an attempt to suppress dissent and intimidate opposition voices critical of government policies.
“The arrest of Professor Usman Yusuf is a clear attempt to silence democratic voices and undermine the rights of Nigerians to express their opinions and hold the government accountable. This administration is resorting to oppressive tactics to reverse the democratic gains achieved by Nigerians over decades of struggle against dictatorship and injustice.
“The Northern Elders Forum is hereby calling for his release, as it sees his arrest as purely politically motivated to suppress and oppress popular democratic voices that openly challenge the poor public policies and bad governance being imposed on the people by this administration,” the statement read.
The group further alleged that the development is part of a broader plan to weaken political opposition and erode democratic rights won by Nigerians in past struggles against dictatorship and oppression.
The Forum urged the Government to respect the rule of law and desist from using State institutions to target political opponents and critics.
The NEF further called for the immediate and unconditional release of Professor Yusuf, emphasising that his arrest is not only an attack on his person but also a threat to the democratic freedoms of all Nigerians.
The EFCC has yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest or the charges against Professor Yusuf.
Professor Yusuf’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, calls for his immediate release continue to gain traction among political and civil society groups.