Meet head of Nigeria’s new ‘fake’ agency, 20 state coordinators, reps in China, US

An alleged fake government office, the "National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office," has been exposed, leading to a presidential order for the arrest of its promoter and the suspension of three permanent secretaries.

President Bola Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as the promoter of the purported office. The ICPC revealed that the office was operating without presidential authorization, despite being allocated space within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

Nwabueze, who allegedly operated under various aliases including George Nathan Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, was listed on the office's website as the "Executive Director, National Coordinator." The website also detailed a broad organizational structure, featuring a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators, and representatives in the United States and China. Notable figures listed include Dr. Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, and Dr. Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration.

The discovery led to the suspension of three permanent secretaries: M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah. The ICPC's investigation highlighted that the claimed government connection was significant given the lack of presidential approval for the office's operations. The website indicated the project was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, within the OSGF, further complicating the unauthorized nature of its existence.