The alleged fictitious National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office reportedly operated an extensive structure comprising a national coordinator, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.
Hon. George Nwabueze was presented as the organisation’s “Executive Director, National Coordinator.” Other officials listed on its website included a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and country representatives for the US and China.
The development followed the disclosure by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu, that President Bola Tinubu had ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest. The ICPC identified him as the promoter of the alleged fake government office.
The President also ordered the suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — after the ICPC reportedly discovered that the organisation had been allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
The commission also stated that Nwabueze had used several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
Claimed Leadership Structure
The organisation’s website listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF,” while Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni was identified as Director of National Administration.
The listed zonal directors were Oladunjoye Musiliua for the South-West, Hafsat Sahabi Dange for the North, and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu for the South-East.
The organisation also claimed to operate under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, with its framework stating that the project was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs.
However, this claimed government affiliation is now under scrutiny following the ICPC’s assertion that the organisation operated without presidential authorisation.
20 State Coordinators
The organisation listed the following individuals as state coordinators:
Katsina — Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma
Kaduna — Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim
Delta — Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor
Kebbi — Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI
Osun — Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan
Anambra — Hon. Chiamaka Nnake
Nasarawa — Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD
Plateau — Mrs Salome Audu Bidda
Benue — Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon
Ondo — Amb. Orioye G. Benedict
Ogun — Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE
Sokoto — Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu
Abia — Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.
Zamfara — Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa
Niger — Haj. Zainab Mohammed
Kano — Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)
Taraba — Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu
Oyo — Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA
Bauchi — Hon. Farouq Siyi
Kogi — Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi
Some of the individuals listed reportedly have backgrounds or connections within political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
For example, Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu has been identified in previous reports as a Special Assistant to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy while also serving as the state coordinator of the purported Made in Nigeria project.
However, being listed on the organisation’s website does not, by itself, establish that any of the individuals knew the organisation allegedly lacked government approval or were involved in any wrongdoing.
Representatives in the United States and China
The website also listed Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”
These appointments formed part of the organisation’s purported national and international structure.
The organisation claimed that its activities included trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The ICPC, however, has questioned the organisation’s legitimacy and alleged that it operated as a fictitious government body without the necessary authorisation.
Attempts to contact the organisation’s management were reportedly unsuccessful. The telephone numbers published on its website were unavailable, while messages sent to Nwabueze had not received a response at the time of the report.
The investigation comes amid a broader ICPC probe into purported fictitious government bodies, including other organisations the commission has previously identified as allegedly operating without proper government authorisation.