The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office had a wide network across Nigeria and abroad, with a national coordinator, zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.
The organisation came under investigation after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission discovered that it was operating from office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential approval.
The ICPC chairman, Musa Aliyu, had earlier disclosed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the arrest of the alleged promoter, George Buchi Nwabueze, following the discovery. The President also directed the suspension of three permanent secretaries identified as M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
According to information found on the organisation’s website, Nwabueze was presented as its Executive Director and National Coordinator. The website also listed several officials who were said to be responsible for different regions and states.
Among those listed were Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF, Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration, Oladunjoye Musiliua as South-West Zonal Director, Hafsat Sahabi Dange as North Zonal Director and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as South-East Zonal Director.
The website further claimed that the project operated under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Its framework stated that the Permanent Secretary in charge of Political and Economic Affairs at the OSGF supervised the project.
However, the claimed government connection is now under scrutiny following the ICPC investigation, which found that the office had no presidential authorisation to operate from the government premises.
The organisation also claimed to have coordinators across 20 states, including Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi and Kogi.
Some of the people listed on the website were reported to have links to political, government or community activities in their respective states. However, their appearance on the organisation’s platform does not establish that they knew the body allegedly lacked government approval.
One of those listed, Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu, has been identified in previous reports as a Special Assistant to Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy. He was also listed as the organisation’s coordinator in Taraba State.
There is no independent confirmation that the individuals listed as state coordinators were aware of the alleged lack of authorisation or were involved in any wrongdoing.
The organisation also claimed to have international representatives. Emmanuel Enemali Achema was listed as its United States representative and coordinator, while Ameh Enedugbojo Glory was listed for China.
The website presented the network as part of a national and international structure created to promote Nigerian products and businesses.
Its stated activities included trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Made-in-Nigeria products and assistance for small and medium-sized businesses.
However, the organisation is now part of a wider ICPC investigation into bodies allegedly presenting themselves as government agencies without proper approval.
Efforts to contact the management of the organisation were unsuccessful. Phone numbers published on its website were reportedly unavailable, while a message sent to Nwabueze had not received a response at the time of the report.
The latest discovery follows an earlier investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The ICPC had also identified two other bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership, as alleged fictitious government entities.
The investigation is continuing as authorities work to establish how the latest organisation obtained access to government premises and operated with a structure that appeared to cover several parts of Nigeria and two foreign countries.