Names behind ‘fake’ agency uncovered by ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has uncovered an elaborate structure allegedly created around a fictitious government office, with coordinators in 20 states and representatives in the United States and China.

The commission’s discovery centres on the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which allegedly presented itself as a government-backed initiative operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF.

The alleged promoter of the office, George Nwabueze, has since been ordered arrested by President Bola Tinubu, following the ICPC’s discovery that the organisation had been allocated office space within the OSGF premises without presidential authorisation.

The ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed the development on Friday, identifying Nwabueze as the promoter of the alleged fictitious office.

The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — over the circumstances surrounding the office.

According to findings published by the ICPC, the organisation had established what appeared to be a nationwide administrative structure, complete with an executive director/national coordinator, zonal directors, state coordinators and foreign representatives.

The commission also found that Nwabueze operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.

How the alleged structure operated

The organisation’s website listed Nwabueze as “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”

It also named Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration; Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.

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

However, the ICPC’s investigation established that the office had no presidential authorisation to operate as a government entity.

The finding raises questions about how the organisation was able to project itself as an official government structure and secure space within the OSGF complex.

20 states listed

The purported agency had also created positions of state coordinators across 20 states.

The website listed Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma as coordinator for Katsina; Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim for Kaduna; Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor for Delta; Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI, for Kebbi; Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan for Osun; Hon. Chiamaka Nnake for Anambra; Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD, for Nasarawa; and Mrs Salome Audu Bidda for Plateau.

Others were Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon for Benue; Amb. Orioye G. Benedict for Ondo; Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE, for Ogun; Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu for Sokoto; Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R. for Abia; Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa for Zamfara; Haj. Zainab Mohammed for Niger; and Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa) for Kano.

The list also included Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Taraba; Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA, for Oyo; Hon. Farouq Siyi for Bauchi; and Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.

The ICPC’s findings, however, do not establish that all those listed as coordinators knew that the organisation allegedly lacked government approval.

In Taraba, for instance, 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 purported Made in Nigeria Special Project.

‘Government’ presence extended to US, China

Beyond Nigeria, the alleged organisation also claimed to have representatives in two major international locations.

The website named Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”

The foreign positions formed part of an organisational structure that the office presented as evidence of its nationwide and international reach.

The website said the project was involved in trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

However, the purported government affiliation is now in doubt following the ICPC’s discovery that the office was operating without presidential authorisation.

Promoter unreachable

Attempts to contact the management of the organisation were unsuccessful.

Three telephone numbers published on its website were switched off as of the time of filing the report, while messages sent to Nwabueze had not received a response.

The ICPC’s latest discovery forms part of a wider investigation into alleged fictitious government bodies operating under purported official identities.

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 case has placed fresh scrutiny on the mechanisms through which unauthorised organisations allegedly assumed government identities, secured official-looking structures and presented themselves to the public as legitimate government agencies.