ICPC Uncovers Another Fake Agency in SGF Office, Tinubu Suspends Three Permanent Secretaries

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another alleged fake agency operating within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The commission identified the agency as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, allegedly promoted by one Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.

Following the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and suspended three Permanent Secretaries in connection with the investigation.

ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Aliyu, the discovery was made in the course of investigations into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and procedural weaknesses within the public service.

He said the alleged fake office had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“In relation to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another fake agency/office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office,” Aliyu said.

The ICPC chairman said investigations showed that the promoter operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

He added that the commission had engaged the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to obtain information relevant to the investigation.

“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments/findings,” Aliyu said.

Following the briefing, President Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries.

The affected officials are M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

Aliyu said the ICPC had continued its engagement with the SGF’s office to obtain further information concerning the alleged unauthorised office and its activities.

He stressed that the investigation remained ongoing under the direction of the President.

The latest development comes amid broader scrutiny of alleged fraudulent entities and procedural weaknesses within government institutions.