The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered another fake government agency operating under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office as investigations into fictitious agencies in the Federal Government deepen.
The Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliu SAN, on Friday after his meeting with the President said the fake agency was allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), despite having no legitimate status as a government establishment.
Dr. Adamu Aliu said investigations by the Commission also identified George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter of the scheme, adding that the agency operated under different variations of names, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
“In light of the above, Mr President has directed that ICPC provide information surrounding the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office; this is in the spirit of transparency and accountability.”
The discovery of the fake office/agency, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, by the ICPC was made in the course of the ICPC’s broader investigation earlier directed by Mr President.
The ICPC Chairman stated that following the comprehensive briefing on the latest findings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
“The ICPC has interacted with the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with a view to ascertaining vital information with regard to the fake agency/office under investigation.
“ICPC will continue with the investigation accordingly.” The ICPC Chairman said,
He said that the President also directed the immediate suspension of three Permanent Secretaries: M.S. Danjuma, Engineer Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The Federal Executive Council had directed a comprehensive forensic examination of government processes and procedures following revelations surrounding the PFIPC, including a review of internal controls to establish how such entities were able to operate within the government system.
The latest development comes amid efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to investigate weaknesses in government processes and administrative controls that could allow fictitious agencies and other irregularities to operate within the public service.
The discovery also emerged from the ongoing investigation into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which has widened scrutiny of the processes and administrative lapses that allowed unauthorised entities to operate within the Federal Government system.
