The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered an alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office that operated with a detailed organisational structure spanning at least 20 Nigerian states and claimed representatives in the United States (US) and China. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the arrest of the office's promoter and suspended three permanent secretaries following the discovery.
Organisational Structure and Key Officials
According to The Punch on Saturday, August 22, a review of the office's website showed that Nwabueze George was listed as "Executive Director, National Coordinator," supported by a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators, and country representatives for the US and China. The Nigerian Tribune also highlighted the list of the head of Nigeria's new 'fake' agency, its 20 state coordinators and other officials.
The website placed the project under the oversight of the permanent secretary, political and economic affairs, in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), and listed Bassey B. Unaowo as "special assistant to the permanent secretary on political and economic affairs." Hajara Njidda Amoni was named director, National Administration, while Oladunjoye Musiliua, Hafsat Sahabi Dange, and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu appeared as zonal directors for the south-west, north, and south-east respectively.
State Coordinators and International Representatives
The site named individuals as state coordinators across Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi, and Kogi. Among those listed, Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu was named Taraba state coordinator. Recent reports have also identified him as a special assistant to Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas on digital economy. Legit.ng has not independently confirmed his involvement with the office.
For its claimed international operations, the website listed Emmanuel Enemali Achema as country representative for the United States and Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as country representative for China. All three phone numbers listed on the office's website were switched off as of the time of this report, and a message sent to the national coordinator had not been replied to.
Presidential Action and ICPC Findings
ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed on Friday, August 21, that President Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, described by the commission as the promoter of the alleged fake office. Tinubu also suspended three permanent secretaries (M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah) following the discovery of the body, which had been allocated space inside the OSGF without any presidential authorisation.
The ICPC added that the promoter operated under multiple name variations, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, and George Buchi Nwabueze. The ICPC had previously flagged three other alleged fictitious bodies: the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), the FCT Investment Promotion Agency, and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
Defence and Clarifications
Nwabueze has continued to defend the legitimacy of the office, posting additional documents he said showed its links with the OSGF. He shared a letter dated July 19, 2010, purportedly issued by the OSGF, referenced NIG@ 50/S. 7/C,3/45 and signed by Dominic Y.E. for the SGF, addressed to "Buchi George," then "Executive Director of The Hats Centre" in Owerri, Imo state. The letter acknowledged receipt of a proposal dated July 16, 2010, seeking endorsement of a "Made in Naija" project to be held in Ireland as part of Nigeria's 50th anniversary.
Chiamaka Nnake, the secretary to the Anambra state government, clarified her alleged involvement, saying the office was planning to organise a Made-in-Nigeria fair in the state after she was nominated as the "focal person" for Anambra State. She said following the nominations, "focal persons" from the 36 states had been in a WhatsApp group discussing issues relating to the activities of the office. In a statement released late on Saturday, August 22, Nnake said the office wrote to the state requesting that Anambra host the South-East Made-in-Nigeria Fair, and after the request was approved, an inaugural meeting was held about two weeks ago, with the national coordinator in attendance. However, following the ICPC discovery, the Anambra SSG said the state government had been misled into hosting its maiden Made-in-Nigeria fair in Anambra in December.
