The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered an alleged fake government agency operating from the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The discovery has prompted President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest of the alleged promoter of the agency and suspend three Permanent Secretaries over the development.
The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Aliyu identified the organisation as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, saying it was allegedly promoted by Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and had been allocated office space within the SGF’s premises without lawful authorisation.
He said the discovery was made during investigations into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and procedural weaknesses within the public service.
“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered another fake agency/office operating under the name: National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Aliyu said.
According to the ICPC chairman, investigations established that Nwabueze had operated using several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
He said the commission had engaged the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to obtain relevant information about the alleged fake agency, its activities and how it gained access to government facilities.
Aliyu explained that the investigation was part of broader efforts to identify weaknesses in government procedures that could be exploited by individuals to establish or operate unauthorised entities within the public service.
The ICPC chairman said he had briefed President Tinubu on the findings and other developments arising from the investigation.
Following the briefing, the President directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries.
The affected officials are M.S. Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
“Accordingly, Mr President has directed as follows: The immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following Permanent Secretaries: M.S. Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare, Richard P. Pheelangwah,” Aliyu said.
The ICPC chairman did not state the specific roles allegedly played by the three suspended Permanent Secretaries in connection with the fake agency, but said investigations were ongoing.
He said the commission would continue working with the SGF’s office to establish how the unauthorised organisation obtained office accommodation within the government premises and how it was able to operate from the location.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of government processes and the activities of individuals and organisations seeking access to public institutions and facilities.
The ICPC had been investigating procedural weaknesses within the public service, including issues surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, before the latest discovery was made.
The commission’s findings raise questions about the mechanisms used to verify organisations operating within government premises and the level of oversight exercised over the allocation of office spaces within government facilities.
Aliyu said the commission would pursue the investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged operation and identify all individuals who may have been involved.
He also assured that the investigation would continue under the direction of the President, with relevant government institutions expected to provide information required by investigators.
The President’s decision to suspend the three Permanent Secretaries and order Nwabueze’s arrest underscores the seriousness with which the administration is treating the alleged breach of government procedures.
The ICPC chairman said the commission remained committed to strengthening accountability and preventing individuals from exploiting weaknesses in government systems for fraudulent purposes.
The latest development follows previous concerns over the existence of unauthorised entities claiming links to government institutions, particularly where such organisations gain access to public facilities or present themselves as official government bodies.
The investigation is expected to determine how the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was established, who authorised its presence within the SGF’s office and the nature of activities allegedly conducted by its promoter.
It will also examine whether other public officials or individuals were involved in facilitating its operations.
West Trybe reports that the investigation places renewed attention on administrative controls within the Federal Government, particularly the procedures governing access to government offices and the recognition of agencies, councils and special project offices. The outcome of the ICPC probe is expected to provide further details on how the alleged fake agency operated within the SGF’s premises and whether additional officials or individuals will face sanctions.
