George Buchi Nwabueze, identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission as the promoter of an alleged fake government agency, reportedly built a structure with coordinators in 20 states and representatives in the United States and China.
According to PUNCH Online, the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office presented itself as a government-backed initiative, with Nwabueze listed as its Executive Director and National Coordinator.
The alleged outfit also published the names of state coordinators and other officials on its website, creating the appearance of a nationwide operation.
The revelation came after ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest over the alleged operation.
The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries after the ICPC discovered that the organisation had been allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
The organisation reportedly claimed to operate under the OSGF and listed officials said to oversee its activities.
But the claim of government backing has now come under scrutiny following the ICPC’s finding that the office allegedly had no presidential approval.
The alleged agency had also appointed coordinators across 20 states, including Anambra, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Bauchi, Kogi and others.
Some of the people listed reportedly have backgrounds in politics, government or public service.
However, their appearance on the website does not by itself establish that they were aware of the alleged lack of government authorisation.
The organisation’s reported links to the US and China have further raised questions about the extent of its activities and how long it operated while presenting itself as a government initiative.
The case is part of a wider ICPC crackdown on alleged fictitious government bodies. The commission had previously announced the discovery of other organisations it described as fake or unauthorised.
The latest scandal is expected to draw further scrutiny as investigators unravel how the alleged agency secured office space, recruited officials and presented itself as a government-backed project.
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