By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another alleged fake government agency operating from the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The discovery has prompted President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate arrest of the alleged promoter of the agency and the suspension of three permanent secretaries linked to the development.
ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed the development on Friday after briefing President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.
According to Aliyu, the agency was operating under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office and had allegedly been allocated office space within the OSGF without presidential authorisation.
The commission said the latest discovery emerged from its ongoing investigation into the alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which was earlier uncovered by the anti-corruption agency.
Aliyu identified George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the newly uncovered office, saying the operation was carried out with the suspected collaboration of some senior officials within the OSGF.
Following the ICPC briefing, Tinubu directed security agencies to arrest Nwabueze. The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The ICPC said its investigation into the agency and possible involvement of public officials is ongoing, with further action expected as more facts emerge.
The development comes amid a wider government probe into fictitious agencies and weaknesses in Nigeria’s public-service systems.
The Federal Executive Council had earlier ordered a forensic investigation into government processes, including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), following the discovery of the earlier fake agency.
The latest case has raised fresh concerns about how unauthorised organisations can gain access to government offices and potentially acquire the appearance of official recognition.
The ICPC has pledged to continue investigating the matter and identify loopholes in government processes that could facilitate the creation or operation of fictitious agencies.
