RismadarVoice Reporters, August 22, 2026
The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated with an elaborate structure that included a national coordinator, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China, according to findings.
The organisation’s website identified Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and presented the project as operating under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
However, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said the office was operating without presidential authorisation, despite allegedly having been allocated space within the OSGF premises.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission described as the promoter of the alleged fake office.
The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries:
M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah
The ICPC said Nwabueze had operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.
According to the organisation’s website, its leadership structure included a Director of National Administration and three zonal directors covering the South-West, North and South-East.
The website also listed 20 state coordinators across states including Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi and Kogi.
It further identified Emmanuel Enemali Achema as its U.S. country representative/coordinator and Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as its China representative/coordinator.
The website claimed the project was involved in activities such as trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to a report gathered from the PUNCH by our reporter, some individuals listed as state coordinators appeared to have previously held public positions or maintained links with political, government or community structures.
For instance, Taraba coordinator Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu has reportedly been identified as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy.
However, the newspaper said it could not independently confirm the involvement of those listed in the alleged unauthorised operation.
Their names appearing on the organisation’s website also do not necessarily establish that they knew the body allegedly lacked government approval.
Attempts by journalists to contact the organisation’s management reportedly failed. The three telephone numbers displayed on its website were said to be switched off, while a message sent to the purported national coordinator had not received a response.
The ICPC investigation is part of a broader crackdown on purported fictitious government bodies. The commission has previously identified other alleged entities, including the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, FCT Investment Promotion Agency, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The key issue in the investigation is not simply the existence of the organisation’s elaborate network, but whether it had legitimate government authority to operate, use government premises and present itself as an official government-backed institution.
