ICPC Uncovers Another Alleged Fake Federal Agency
By Cynthia Okere, Lagos
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another alleged fake federal agency, prompting President Bola Tinubu to order the suspension of three federal permanent secretaries and the arrest of the suspected promoter.
The ICPC identified the organisation as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which it alleged was being promoted by George Buchi Nwabueze with the suspected collaboration of senior public servants in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed the findings after briefing President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
According to the commission, the discovery emerged from its ongoing investigation into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), another body previously declared fictitious by the Federal Government.
Following the latest briefing, President Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries in the OSGF — M.S. Danjuma, Nandungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwa — pending further investigation.
The ICPC said Nwabueze was discovered to have operated under different variants of his name, including Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
The latest discovery comes weeks after President Tinubu directed the ICPC to investigate the PFIPC and circumstances that allowed the purported organisation to acquire the appearance of a legitimate government body.
The Presidency had said the PFIPC was never established by the Federal Government and had no legal or presidential authorisation. Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, who allegedly presented himself as director-general of the body, became the subject of an ICPC investigation covering alleged forged documents, claims of presidential appointment and the operation of bank accounts linked to purported government agencies.
The latest case has widened scrutiny of administrative controls within the Federal Government, particularly how an unauthorised organisation could allegedly operate with the involvement of senior public servants.
The ICPC said investigations into the new case are continuing and reiterated its commitment to due process and the rule of law.
Nwabueze has, however, denied running a fake agency. In comments reported on Saturday, he maintained that the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated under the supervision of the OSGF and had existed for several years.
His denial means the allegations remain subject to investigation, and no finding of criminal guilt has been made against him or the suspended officials.