ICPC Uncovers Second Fake Agency Inside SGF Office as President Tinubu Suspends 3 Permanent Secretaries
Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade has taken an unexpected turn. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered a second fictitious government body operating directly inside the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The newly exposed entity, operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office”—was allegedly allocated actual office space within the OSGF complex without any legal framework or presidential authorization.
Following a direct briefing at the State House by ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of the alleged mastermind and suspended three senior Permanent Secretaries.
Key Highlights of the Discovery
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Alleged Promoter: The ICPC identified George Buchi Nwabueze (who also operated under aliases such as Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, George Nathan, and Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze) as the primary figure behind the setup.
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Presidential Directive: President Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest and directed the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries linked to the OSGF:
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M.S. Danjuma
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Engr. Nandungu Gagare
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Richard Pheelangwa
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The Origin: This breakthrough emerged during an ongoing investigation into another fake entity—the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC)—which similarly operated using forged documents, false gazettes, and unauthorized titles.
How Fake Agencies Hide in Plain Sight
The revelation points to serious administrative vulnerabilities within high-level government facilities:
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Forged Credentials: Operators used fabricated appointment letters and official-looking paperwork to pass off fictitious bodies as legitimate federal initiatives.
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Physical Access: The agency successfully secured workspace inside one of the nation’s most sensitive administrative hubs.
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Institutional Gaps: While the ICPC confirmed that no official government funds were disbursed directly to these entities, systemic gaps in identity verification and inter-agency oversight enabled them to operate under the radar.
What Happens Next?
The ICPC has submitted recommendations for immediate structural reforms across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). These recommendations focus on tighter administrative controls, stricter access checks, and prosecution for individuals who enabled these unauthorized entities.
As investigations expand, the central issue shifts from tracking down individual fraudsters to fixing the institutional oversights that allowed unauthorized entities to setup inside government premises.
