The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered another alleged fictitious government agency operating from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation.
ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday, while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Aliyu said the discovery was made as part of the commission’s ongoing investigation into the creation and operation of unauthorised government bodies within the Federal Government.
According to him, the organisation, identified as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, has been operating from premises within the SGF office despite allegedly having no approval from President Bola Tinubu.
The ICPC chairman said the discovery was linked to the commission’s investigation into the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the agency has previously identified as a fictitious organisation.
Following the latest discovery, President Tinubu ordered the arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who was identified as the alleged promoter of the organisation.
The president also directed the suspension of three permanent secretaries allegedly connected to the matter. The affected officials are M. S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwah.
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The development has raised fresh concerns over how unauthorised organisations could secure office space and operate within the federal government’s administrative structures without the necessary approvals.
The ICPC is investigating how the organisation obtained recognition and accommodation within the SGF complex and whether other government officials were involved in its operations.
The latest discovery comes days after the Federal Executive Council approved a forensic review of government processes and internal controls following revelations arising from the ICPC investigation.
The review is expected to identify weaknesses that may have allowed unauthorised entities to operate within government structures and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence.
The ICPC said its investigation is ongoing.
