Tinubu Directs Arrest as ICPC Uncovers Alleged Fake Government Agency

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries following the discovery of another allegedly unauthorised government office operating within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The latest development was announced on Friday by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, SAN, after briefing President Tinubu on the commission’s ongoing investigations into fictitious government agencies and weaknesses within the public service.

ICPC Uncovers Another Unauthorised Office

According to Aliyu, investigators uncovered an office operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.”

The ICPC chairman said the office had been allocated space within the OSGF without presidential authorisation and in violation of existing public service regulations.

He said the discovery emerged during the commission’s wider investigation into the previously exposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFICP) and other suspected procedural irregularities within government.

President Orders Arrest and Suspensions

Aliyu identified Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the office and said investigators found that he had operated under several variations of his name.

Following the briefing, President Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze.

The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries:

• M.S. Danjuma
• Nadungu Gagare
• Richard P. Pheelangwah

The ICPC said it would continue its investigation to establish the roles of those allegedly involved and determine how the unauthorised office was able to operate from government premises.

Fourth Alleged Fake Agency Uncovered

The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office is reportedly the fourth alleged unlawful agency or body uncovered during investigations into the earlier PFICP controversy.

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

The commission had submitted an interim report to President Tinubu on August 6 following a 30-day investigation into the matter.

Investigation Into Government Structures Continues

The latest discovery comes as authorities intensify efforts to identify unauthorised organisations operating within or alongside government institutions.

The House of Representatives has also opened an investigation into the PFICP controversy, with senior government officials, including the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Accountant-General of the Federation, appearing before lawmakers.

The ICPC said its investigations into the latest case and other suspected fictitious agencies would continue, while the individuals involved remain subject to the outcome of due process and further investigation.