The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office reportedly operated an elaborate structure spanning 20 states in Nigeria and two foreign countries, despite the Federal Government saying it had no presidential authorisation to operate.

A check by Punch on Saturday showed that the organisation’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and presented a structure that included a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.

Yari Accepts Appointment To Lead APC Presidential Campaign Council

The development followed the disclosure by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified by the commission as the promoter of the alleged fake government office.

According to the website, Dr Bassey B. Unaowo was listed as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), while Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni was identified as Director of National Administration. Other officials listed included Oladunjoye Musiliua, Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange, Zonal Director, North; and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu, Zonal Director, South-East.

Claimed Connection to Federal Government

The organisation’s website reportedly claimed that the project operated under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with its framework stating that it was overseen by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF.

However, the claim has come under scrutiny following the ICPC investigation, which reportedly found that the office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential authorisation.

The ICPC also alleged that the promoter operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

Tinubu Orders Arrest, Suspensions

The alleged discovery has triggered action from President Tinubu, who ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze.

The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the alleged fake agency.

The case has raised fresh concerns about weaknesses in government administrative and internal control systems, particularly how an organisation allegedly lacking presidential approval was able to establish an apparently extensive structure, obtain government office space and present itself publicly as a Federal Government initiative.

The development comes as the Tinubu administration orders a broader investigation into fake agencies and weaknesses within government processes, including concerns over how such entities could obtain official administrative and financial codes.

 

20 State Coordinators

The website listed the following as state coordinators:

Katsina: Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma

Kaduna: Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim

Delta: Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor

Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI

Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan

Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake

Nasarawa: Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD

Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda

Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon

Ondo: Amb. Orioye G. Benedict

Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE

Sokoto: Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu

Abia: Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.

Zamfara: Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa

Niger: Haj. Zainab Mohammed

Kano: Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)

Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu

Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA

Bauchi: Hon. Farouq Siyi

Kogi: Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi

According to Punch, it also found indications that some of those listed had previously held public positions or had links to established political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.

In Taraba, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, while serving as the state coordinator of the Made in Nigeria Special Project.

Their inclusion on the website does not, by itself, establish that they knew the organisation had allegedly lacked government authorisation.

The website also listed Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”

The claimed international structure was presented alongside the state and zonal network as part of the organisation’s purported nationwide and international operations.

The office’s website described its activities as including trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, claims ICPC disputed.

The development is the latest in an investigation into purported fictitious government bodies.

The ICPC had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and two other alleged fictitious bodies: the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.