By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has been uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The chairman of ICPC, Mr Musa Aliyu (SAN), disclosed this to newsmen after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Abuja.
He said the President has now ordered the arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze over this development, with three permanent secretaries, M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah, suspended.
According to him, the new fake agency is the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, illegally allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF without authorisation.
He informed journalists that this organisation was discovered during an investigation ordered by the President. He said this entity is being promoted by Mr Nwabueze, under multiple names.
“Upon further brief by ICPC to Mr President on the ongoing investigations into the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFICP) and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another fake agency and office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which has been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The promoter, George Buchi Nwabueze, was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” the ICPC chief stated.
“ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly. Mr President has directed as follows: the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following permanent secretaries: M.S. Danjuma, Engineer Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah,” he said.
