The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had established an extensive structure spanning 20 Nigerian states and two foreign countries, according to findings by PUNCH Online.
The organisation’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and also featured a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.
The development comes after the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the ICPC identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.
Tinubu also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries, M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah, following the discovery of the organisation operating from office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
According to the ICPC, Nwabueze allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
The organisation’s website identified Nwabueze as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”
It also 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 further claimed that the project operated under the OSGF and described its framework as being overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.
However, the claimed government connection is significant in light of the ICPC’s statement that the office had no presidential authorisation.
20 state coordinators listed
The website listed coordinators in 20 states across the country.
They included Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi and Kogi.
Among those listed were Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma for Katsina, Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna, Godwin Adolor for Delta, Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan for Osun, Chiamaka Nnake for Anambra, Kehinde Akintonide for Ogun and Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Taraba.
PUNCH Online also found indications that some individuals listed on the website had previously held public positions or had connections to political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
However, the publication said it had not independently confirmed their involvement in the alleged fake agency.
Being listed on the organisation’s website does not by itself establish that any of the individuals knew the organisation allegedly lacked government authorisation.
In Taraba, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy while also serving as the state coordinator of the alleged Made in Nigeria Special Project.
Representatives listed in US and China
The organisation also claimed to have an international structure.
Its website listed Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”
The claimed international network was presented alongside the state and zonal structures as evidence of the organisation’s purported nationwide and international operations.
The website said its activities included trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
However, the ICPC has described the organisation as an unauthorised office operating within the OSGF premises.
Efforts by PUNCH Online to contact the management of the organisation were unsuccessful. The three telephone numbers published on its website were reportedly switched off, while a message sent to the acclaimed national coordinator had not received a response at the time of filing the report.
The development forms part of a wider ICPC investigation into alleged fictitious government bodies.
The commission had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership as other alleged fictitious bodies.
The latest discovery has therefore expanded the investigation into the alleged creation and operation of unauthorised organisations presenting themselves as government-backed agencies.
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