President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and the suspension of three federal Permanent Secretaries over their alleged involvement in the operation of a fake government agency uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday after briefing President Tinubu on the commission’s latest findings from its investigation into fictitious agencies and weaknesses within government processes.
The suspended Permanent Secretaries were identified as M. S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwah.
According to Aliyu, the purported agency, known as the “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office,” had illegally occupied office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential approval.
The discovery was made during an ongoing investigation into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which Tinubu had earlier directed the ICPC to probe.
Aliyu said the purported agency was allegedly promoted by Nwabueze, who reportedly operated under several variations of his name.
Following the latest findings, President Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of the three Permanent Secretaries pending further investigation.
The ICPC is expected to determine the roles played by the suspended officials and other individuals in the creation and operation of the purported agency.
Aliyu said the development further highlighted the need for stronger oversight and tighter controls within government institutions and administrative processes.
He commended President Tinubu for ordering a broader policy audit of federal ministries, departments and agencies, describing the move as a proactive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s governance system.
The ICPC’s investigation into the PFIPC began after the purported agency was exposed. Its self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is currently facing prosecution over alleged forgery and impersonation.
