Fake agency: Tinubu orders arrest of Perm Sec, suspends three others

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

The development was disclosed on Friday by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, after briefing the President on the commission’s latest findings.

The suspended permanent secretaries are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

Aliyu said the latest investigation uncovered an organisation operating as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which had allegedly been allocated office space within the OSGF despite not being a recognised government agency and without presidential approval.

According to the ICPC chairman, the organisation was promoted by Nwabueze, who allegedly used different variations of his name and had suspected collaborators within the OSGF.

“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President,” Aliyu said.

He said the suspect was also found to operate under several names, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

Aliyu said the ICPC launched the investigation after President Tinubu directed the commission to probe the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and weaknesses in public service procedures.

The commission subsequently engaged the OSGF to determine how the purported agency gained access to government premises and operated within the complex.

“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” Aliyu said.

He added that Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of the three permanent secretaries.

The latest discovery comes weeks after the ICPC uncovered the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, which the commission said was not a legitimate government body.

The council’s purported Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution over allegations including forgery and impersonation.

An interim ICPC report submitted to Tinubu on August 6 also identified the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership as fictitious entities.

The latest investigation has raised fresh concerns over the ability of unauthorised individuals and organisations to gain access to government facilities and operate with the appearance of official backing.

The ICPC said its investigation into the alleged fake agency and the officials suspected of facilitating its activities would continue.