The alleged fake National
Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated a broad network across at least 20 states and two foreign countries, according to findings.
The organisation’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside a Director of National Administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.
The development followed a disclosure by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.
The ICPC also said the President ordered the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office.
According to the commission, the organisation had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorisation.
The website, however, presented the project as operating under the OSGF. It listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs and Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director of National Administration.
It also named Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.
The website listed state coordinators in Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi and Kogi.
It further named Emmanuel Enemali Achema as Country Representative/Coordinator for the United States and Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as Country Representative/Coordinator for China.
The organisation claimed to promote Nigerian products, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and organise trade exhibitions and economic forums.
However, the ICPC has questioned the legitimacy of the organisation and described it as an alleged fictitious government body.
News Point Nigeria could not independently establish whether all the individuals listed on the website were involved in the organisation’s alleged activities or were aware of the claims about its government status.
The listing of a person on the website does not, by itself, establish that the individual knew the organisation allegedly lacked government authorisation.
In Taraba, for example, Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu was listed as the state coordinator. Reports have previously identified him as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy.
Attempts to contact the management of the alleged agency were unsuccessful. The three telephone numbers published on its website were switched off, while a message sent to the listed national coordinator had not received a response at the time of filing this report.
The ICPC’s disclosure is part of a wider investigation into alleged fictitious government bodies. The commission has previously raised concerns over other organisations it described as fake or unauthorised government entities.
