How ‘Fake’ Nigerian Agency Under Tinubu Govt Had National Coordinator, 20 State Offices, Reps In US, China | Sahara Reporters
A check of the office’s website showed that it listed Hon. George Nwabueze as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and named officials responsible for administration, geopolitical zones, states and international representation.
A purported government agency now under investigation by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government operated an elaborate structure with a national coordinator, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has described as an alleged fake government office, reportedly presented itself as a nationwide government-backed initiative.
A check of the office’s website showed that it listed Hon. George Nwabueze as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and named officials responsible for administration, geopolitical zones, states and international representation.
The development comes after the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze, whom the anti-graft agency identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.
Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
According to the ICPC, the office had been allocated space within the OSGF complex without presidential authorisation.
The anti-corruption agency also said Nwabueze had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
On its website, the organisation identified Nwabueze as “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”
The website also listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration; Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.
The purported agency further claimed to operate under the OSGF.
Its framework page stated that the project was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.
The claim of government backing is particularly significant given the ICPC’s assertion that the office was operating without presidential authorisation.
The anti-graft agency’s investigation has therefore raised questions about how the organisation was able to establish such an extensive structure and publicly associate itself with the Federal Government.
The website also published the names of 20 individuals it identified as state coordinators across the country.
They include Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma for Katsina; Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna; Godwin Adolor for Delta; Hussaini Abdullahi for Kebbi; Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan for Osun; and Chiamaka Nnake for Anambra.
Others listed are Osolafia Muhammed for Nasarawa; Salome Audu Bidda for Plateau; Orduen Andrew Ikon for Benue; Orioye G. Benedict for Ondo; Kehinde Akintonide for Ogun; and Ibrahim Umar Aliyu for Sokoto.
The list also includes Nwosu Chinyere R. for Abia; Ibrahim Bello Marafa for Zamfara; Zainab Mohammed for Niger; Abubakar Ahmad Bichi for Kano; Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Taraba; Bello Kolawole Ghaffar for Oyo; Farouq Siyi for Bauchi; and Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.
Checks by PUNCH, whose findings form part of the background to this report, indicated that some individuals listed by the organisation had previously occupied public positions or had links with political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
In Taraba, for instance, Tyopuusu has reportedly been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy while also serving as the state coordinator of the purported Made in Nigeria Special Project.
Beyond its nationwide structure, the organisation also claimed to have representatives in the United States and China.
The foreign representations, alongside the listed state coordinators and zonal directors, gave the purported agency the appearance of a formal government-backed national and international operation.
However, the ICPC’s declaration that the office was allegedly operating without presidential authorisation has cast doubt over the legitimacy of the entire structure.
The commission said its investigation uncovered the alleged unauthorised office within the OSGF complex, prompting the President to order Nwabueze’s arrest and the suspension of the three permanent secretaries.
The development has raised fresh questions about possible lapses in government administrative controls and how an organisation allegedly lacking presidential approval was able to operate from a Federal Government premises and present itself publicly as a government initiative.
The ICPC investigation is expected to establish how the office secured access to the OSGF premises, the extent of its activities, the identities and roles of those involved, and whether any government resources or privileges were improperly used.