The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another alleged fake government agency operating within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Peak Newspaper reports.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, who identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the organisation.
According to Aliyu, the organisation operates under the name “National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.”
The ICPC chairman said the organisation was not a legitimate government agency but had nevertheless been allocated office space within the premises of the SGF’s office.
The discovery reportedly followed investigations into an earlier alleged fake agency known as the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)
Investigations into the PFIPC case, according to the ICPC, subsequently led authorities to uncover two more organisations suspected of operating illegally within government structures.
Tinubu Orders Arrest of Alleged Promoter
Following the latest discovery, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the arrest of Nwabueze, who was identified by the ICPC as the alleged promoter of the organisation.
The President also ordered the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries in the Office of the SGF pending further investigation.
The affected officials are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The action comes as the government investigates how an organisation described by the anti-corruption agency as unlawful was able to secure office space within a sensitive government establishment.
President Orders Forensic Audit
In addition to the arrest and suspensions, President Tinubu directed that a forensic audit of government processes be conducted.
The audit is expected to help establish how the alleged fake agencies were able to gain access to government facilities and determine whether there were weaknesses or breaches within the processes used to approve and accommodate organisations operating around government offices.
The ICPC said its investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
The latest discovery adds to the commission’s investigation into alleged fraudulent organisations operating under government-related identities and raises questions about the systems used to verify agencies and organisations operating within government premises.
Authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation progresses.
