HOW ‘FAKE’ AGENCY UNDER TINUBU GOVT OPERATED WITH NATIONAL COORDINATOR, 20 STATE OFFICES, REPRESENTATIVES IN US, CHINA
The National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, now under investigation by the ICPC, reportedly operated an extensive structure that presented it as a nationwide government-backed agency, despite the anti-graft commission’s claim that it was allegedly not authorised by President Bola Tinubu.
The purported agency’s website listed George Nwabueze as its Executive Director and National Coordinator, alongside officials responsible for administration, geopolitical zones and states. It also claimed to have 20 state coordinators, zonal directors and representatives in the United States and China, giving the organisation the appearance of a formal national and international government operation.
The development followed the ICPC’s disclosure that President Tinubu had ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest after the alleged fake agency was discovered operating within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Tinubu also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
According to the ICPC, the organisation had allegedly been allocated office space within the OSGF complex without presidential authorisation. The commission also said Nwabueze had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
The organisation’s website further claimed that it operated under the OSGF and was overseen by the Permanent Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs. It listed officials across several states, including Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Osun, Anambra, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Kano, Taraba, Oyo and others.
The purported agency also claimed to have international representatives, while some individuals listed as state coordinators were reportedly linked to existing political, government or community structures. These claims have raised questions about how the organisation was able to establish such a wide network and associate itself with the Federal Government.
The ICPC investigation is expected to determine how the organisation gained access to government premises, the extent of its operations, the identities and roles of those involved, and whether government resources, facilities or official privileges were improperly used.
