The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office reportedly operated with an extensive structure comprising a national coordinator, zonal directors, state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China.
A check of the organisation’s website by PUNCH Online on Saturday showed Hon. George Nwabueze listed as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator”. The website also named a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives for the US and China.
The development comes after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as “the promoter” of the alleged fake government office.
The President also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office.
According to the ICPC, 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 commission further said Nwabueze had operated under different variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
Nwabueze, zonal directors listed
The organisation’s website identified Nwabueze as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator”.
It also listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration; Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.
The website claimed that the project operated under the OSGF, with its framework page stating that it was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.
However, the claim of government affiliation has come under scrutiny following the ICPC’s finding that the office allegedly operated without presidential authorisation.
20 state coordinators
The website 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
PUNCH Online’s checks also indicated that some individuals listed on the website had previously occupied public positions or were linked to political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
For instance, Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, listed as the Sokoto coordinator, was a former member of the House of Representatives for Wurno/Rabah.
Mrs Nnake is the Secretary to the Anambra State Government.
In Taraba, Tyopuusu has also been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy while serving as the state coordinator of the alleged Made in Nigeria Special Project.
However, PUNCH Online said it could not independently confirm the involvement of those listed with the alleged agency.
Their appearance on the website does not necessarily establish that they knew the organisation allegedly lacked government authorisation.
Efforts to contact the management of the organisation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report. The three telephone numbers listed on its website were switched off, while a message sent to the purported national coordinator had not been answered.
Representatives in US, 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.”
The purported international structure was presented alongside the state and zonal network as part of the organisation’s claimed nationwide and international operations.
According to the website, the project’s activities included trade exhibitions, economic forums, the promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. The ICPC, however, has disputed the legitimacy of the organisation’s government affiliation.
The development is the latest in an ongoing investigation into alleged fictitious government bodies.
The ICPC had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and two other alleged fictitious bodies — the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.