Full List: Meet Members Of New Fake Agency Uncovered By ICPC

The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office reportedly operated an extensive structure across several states in Nigeria, with additional representatives in the United States and China.

According to Ireporter Online, the organisation’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and international representatives.

The development follows the disclosure by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the alleged fake agency.

Tinubu also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — after the ICPC discovered that the organisation had been allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential approval.

The commission said Nwabueze allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

The organisation’s website further listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration; Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director for the South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director for the North; and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director for the South-East.

The website claimed that the project operated under the OSGF and was supervised by the Permanent Secretary in charge of Political and Economic Affairs. However, the claim has come under scrutiny following the ICPC’s finding that the office allegedly operated without presidential authorisation.

The organisation also listed 20 state coordinators across the country. They include Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma for Katsina; Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna; Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor for Delta; Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI, for Kebbi; Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan for Osun; Hon. Chiamaka Nnake for Anambra; Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD, for Nasarawa; Mrs Salome Audu Bidda for Plateau; Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon for Benue; and Amb. Orioye G. Benedict for Ondo.

Others listed were Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE, for Ogun; Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu for Sokoto; Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R. for Abia; Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa for Zamfara; Haj. Zainab Mohammed for Niger; Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa) for Kano; Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Taraba; Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA, for Oyo; Hon. Farouq Siyi for Bauchi; and Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.

The organisation also named Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as its United States representative and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as its representative in China.

According to reports, some individuals listed on the platform have previously occupied public positions or maintained connections with political, governmental and community structures in their respective states. However, their inclusion on the website does not necessarily establish that they were aware of any alleged lack of government approval.

In Taraba, for instance, Tyopuusu has reportedly been identified as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy while also serving as the state coordinator of the alleged project.

The organisation’s website claimed that its activities included trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized businesses. The ICPC, however, has challenged the legitimacy of the purported government body.

The investigation is part of a wider crackdown on alleged fictitious government agencies. The ICPC had previously raised concerns over other purported bodies, including the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.