Alleged Fake Agency Built Extensive Structure Before ICPC Intervention
The Federal Government has uncovered an alleged unauthorised organisation that reportedly operated under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, despite allegedly having no presidential approval to function as a government agency.
The organisation came under scrutiny after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) discovered that it had established an elaborate structure involving coordinators in 20 states, zonal directors and representatives in the United States and China.
The ICPC said the organisation had also secured office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), raising questions about how it obtained access to government facilities.
ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, said President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the organisation.
The President also directed the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the organisation’s presence within the OSGF.
According to the commission, the organisation presented itself as a government-backed initiative designed to promote Nigerian businesses and advance the Federal Government’s Made-in-Nigeria agenda.
Its stated activities reportedly included trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of locally made products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The organisation’s website further portrayed it as a nationwide operation. Hon. Nwabueze George was listed as its Executive Director and National Coordinator, while Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni was identified as Director of National Administration.
Three zonal directors were also listed for the North, South-West and South-East.
The organisation claimed to have coordinators in states including Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi and Kogi.
Beyond Nigeria, it listed representatives for the United States and China, further creating the appearance of an established international government network.
However, the ICPC said its investigation found that the organisation did not have the presidential authorisation required to operate as a federal government agency.
The commission is now investigating how the organisation obtained office accommodation within the OSGF and whether officials within the government played any role in facilitating its operations.
The organisation had reportedly claimed that its activities were supervised by the Permanent Secretary responsible for Political and Economic Affairs at the OSGF. The ICPC’s findings have, however, raised questions over the authenticity of that claim.
Aliyu said he had briefed President Tinubu on the findings and that the commission would continue investigating the matter.
The ICPC also identified several variations of Nwabueze’s name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
Attempts to reach the organisation’s management were reportedly unsuccessful, with telephone numbers published on its website switched off and messages sent to Nwabueze unanswered.
The investigation will also determine whether the individuals listed as state coordinators and other officials were aware that the organisation allegedly lacked government approval or whether their names were simply used as part of the structure.
The development comes amid previous ICPC investigations involving other organisations accused of falsely presenting themselves as government institutions.
The latest case has renewed concerns over the ability of unauthorised bodies to adopt government-style titles, establish nationwide structures and gain access to official facilities without the necessary approval.
