President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest of George Buchi Nwabueze following the discovery of a purported government agency.
The development has raised fresh questions about how an unauthorised body gained access to federal government offices.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) uncovered the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.
Advertisement
The agency reportedly operated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential approval.
ICPC Chairman Musa Adamu Aliyu disclosed the development after briefing Tinubu on the commission’s latest findings.
Aliyu said Tinubu also ordered the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries. They are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwah.
The ICPC chairman identified Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the purported agency. He said investigators were examining how it secured office space within the SGF’s premises.
The discovery followed an earlier probe into the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.
That investigation has now expanded as authorities examine possible weaknesses within government systems.
President Bola Tinubu
“I have briefed Mr. President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigation,” Aliyu said.
The commission said Nwabueze allegedly used several variations of his name while operating the purported agency.
Tinubu has also ordered a wider audit of government processes to prevent similar incidents.
Aliyu praised the President’s decision to review federal agencies and internal procedures.
“President Bola Tinubu must be commended for the proactive step of directing the policy audit of MDAs and internal government processes towards strengthening government governance system,” he said.
Furthermore,ICPC investigation will examine the alleged roles of officials and how the organisation gained access to government facilities.
The ICPC investigation is expected to determine whether any officials breached procedures or helped the purported agency operate.
