Tinubu Orders Arrest of ‘Fake’ Agency Promoter as Website Reveals 26 Officials

The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had an elaborate structure, with a national coordinator, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.

A check by our correspondent on Saturday showed that the office’s website identified Hon. George Nwabueze as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”

The development came after the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest.

The ICPC identified Nwabueze as the promoter of the alleged fake office.

Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The commission said the office had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorisation.

The ICPC further disclosed that Nwabueze had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

Those Listed in the Alleged Agency

The website listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF.

Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni was listed as Director, National Administration.

The three zonal directors were:

Oladunjoye Musiliua — Zonal Director, South-West

Hafsat Sahabi Dange — Zonal Director, North

Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu — Zonal Director, South-East

The website also claimed that the project operated under the OSGF and was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs.

However, the claim is at odds with the ICPC’s finding that the office was operating without presidential authorisation.

20 State Coordinators Listed

The website identified the following as state coordinators:

Katsina: Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma

Kaduna: Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim

Delta: Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor

Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI

Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan

Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake

Nasarawa: Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD

Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda

Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon

Ondo: Amb. Orioye G. Benedict

Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE

Sokoto: Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu

Abia: Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.

Zamfara: Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa

Niger: Haj. Zainab Mohammed

Kano: Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)

Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu

Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA

Bauchi: Hon. Farouq Siyi

Kogi: Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi

The website also reportedly listed representatives of the organisation in China and the United States, although their names were not provided in the material reviewed.

The development has raised questions over how the organisation secured space within the OSGF premises and operated with an elaborate nationwide structure without presidential approval.