The alleged fictitious National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated an elaborate structure with a purported national coordinator, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China, findings have revealed.
A review of the organisation’s website showed that Hon. Nwabueze George was listed as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside officials overseeing its claimed national and international operations.
The development comes after the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.
Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries—M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah—following the discovery of the organisation.
According to the ICPC, the purported agency had been allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorisation.
Nwabueze listed as national coordinator
The ICPC said the promoter had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
However, the organisation’s website identified Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”
The website also listed 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; Mr 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 platform further claimed that the project operated under the OSGF, with its framework page stating that it was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.
That claim is now under scrutiny following the ICPC’s declaration that the organisation was operating without presidential authorisation.
20 state coordinators
The website listed 20 individuals as state coordinators across the country.
They are Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma 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 are 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 includes Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu for Taraba; Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA for Oyo; Hon. Farouq Siyi for Bauchi; and Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi for Kogi.
Checks showed that some of those listed had previously held public positions or had links with political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
In Taraba, for instance, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, while also being listed as the state coordinator of the Made in Nigeria Special Project.
However, their independent involvement in the organisation could not be independently established.
Their appearance on the website, by itself, does not establish that they were aware that the organisation allegedly lacked government authorisation.
Representatives in US, China
The purported agency also claimed to have an international structure, listing Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”
The claimed representatives were listed alongside the state and zonal officials as part of what the organisation presented as its nationwide and international network.
The website described the organisation’s activities as including trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
However, the legitimacy of those activities is now being questioned following the ICPC’s findings.
Management unreachable
Efforts to reach the management of the alleged agency were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
All three telephone numbers published on its website were switched off, while messages sent to the purported national coordinator had not received a response.
The development is part of the ICPC’s wider investigation into alleged fictitious government bodies.
The commission had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, as well as the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership, among purported fictitious entities under investigation.
The ongoing probe is expected to establish how the alleged agency secured office space within the OSGF premises, how it operated its extensive network and the roles, if any, played by individuals listed as its officials and representatives.
