By Sola Ojewusi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze following the discovery of an alleged fake government agency operating from the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The development followed an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which uncovered what investigators described as another purported government agency operating without lawful authorisation from within government premises.
The agency, identified as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was reportedly discovered during the ICPC’s ongoing investigation into the activities of another alleged fake government body, the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, allegedly operated by one Adeyemi Matthew.
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, disclosed the development on Friday while briefing State House correspondents after meeting with President Tinubu.
According to Aliyu, investigators discovered that office space within the OSGF premises had allegedly been allocated to the purported National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.
The ICPC chairman did not immediately provide details of how the office was allocated or identify all the officials and individuals allegedly involved in establishing or operating the purported agency.
Following the discovery, President Tinubu directed the immediate arrest of Nwabueze in connection with the matter and ordered relevant authorities to intensify investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorised operation.
The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three Permanent Secretaries identified as M.S. Danjuma, Engineer Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah over the incident.
The latest development is coming against the backdrop of an intensified ICPC investigation into alleged individuals and groups using government offices, facilities and official structures to operate unauthorised entities or conduct activities purportedly on behalf of the Federal Government.
The investigation is expected to establish how the alleged agency obtained access to office space within the OSGF, the process through which the space was allocated and whether any government officials were involved in facilitating its operations.
The ICPC is also expected to provide further information as its investigation progresses, while those found culpable may face appropriate legal and administrative consequences.
The development has raised fresh concerns about the need for stronger controls over the use of government premises and official identities, particularly to prevent individuals or organisations from exploiting the name and facilities of the Federal Government for unauthorised activities.
