President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the arrest of a man allegedly behind a fake federal agency and directed the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries following fresh findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The directive followed a briefing by ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, at the State House in Abuja on Friday, where he presented findings from the Commission’s ongoing investigation into alleged fraudulent government bodies.
The latest case involves the purported National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which the ICPC says is being promoted by George Buchi Nwabueze with suspected collaboration from some senior officials in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
Following the briefing, President Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries identified by the ICPC as Ms Danjuma, Engr Nandungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwa.
The Commission said investigations revealed that Nwabueze allegedly operates under several variations of his name, including Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
The discovery reportedly emerged during further investigations into another alleged fake government institution, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, said to have been promoted by Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew.
The ICPC’s latest action highlights the risks posed by individuals who allegedly create or promote unauthorised government bodies, potentially exploiting public trust in federal institutions for personal gain.
The Commission said investigations would continue in line with the law, reaffirming its commitment to due process and the rule of law in tackling corruption and other related offences.