The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, described by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as a fake agency, reportedly structured its appointments to resemble Nigeria’s federal character principle.
The outfit was allegedly operating illegally from premises within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), with coordinators appointed across several geopolitical zones and states.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed the discovery while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja on the Commission’s investigations into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and weaknesses within the public service.
According to Aliyu, the agency was uncovered during further investigations into the fake PFIPC and other irregularities in government structures. He said the office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises without presidential authorisation and contrary to existing laws.
Aliyu identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the promoter of the organisation, alleging that he operated using several variations of his name.
The ICPC chairman listed the names as George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze. The organisation’s website reportedly identified Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator”, a designation that investigators said corresponded with the individual under investigation.
A review of the organisation’s website showed that its structure included officials from different parts of the country. At the national level, Dr Bassey B. Unaowo was listed as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, while Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni was identified as Director, National Administration.
Three zonal directors were also listed, including Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua for the South West, Barr. Hafsat Sahabi Dange for the North and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu for the South East. The state-level structure similarly featured coordinators across different geopolitical zones.
Among those listed were Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma for Katsina, Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna, Hussaini Abdullahi for Kebbi, Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa for Zamfara and Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu for Sokoto.
The North Central was represented by officials including Hon. Osolafia Muhammed for Nasarawa, Mrs Salome Audu Bidda for Plateau, Haj. Zainab Mohammed for Niger, Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon and Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Benue, and Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.
Other appointments reportedly covered Bauchi, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states. The organisation also maintained social media accounts under the handle “@pmainpro” on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
Following the ICPC briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze. The President also directed the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries; M.S. Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah, pending investigations.
Aliyu said the Commission had engaged OSGF officials to establish how the purported agency obtained office accommodation within the Secretariat. He added that investigators would continue examining the roles allegedly played by suspended officials and others connected with the organisation.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” Aliyu said.
