ICPC Uncovers Alleged Fake Agency That Claimed 2017 FEC Approval

A purported federal agency that allegedly operated for about nine years from premises within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) claimed to have obtained Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval in 2017, during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office was uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) during its investigation into the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and other weaknesses within the public service.

The alleged outfit reportedly went beyond merely claiming official recognition. It established a nationwide chain of officials, state coordinators and social media accounts designed to project the image of a legitimate federal institution.

ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, said the organisation had been allocated office space within the OSGF without presidential authorisation.

“Upon further briefing by ICPC to Mr President on the ongoing investigations into the fake PFIPC and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the ICPC has uncovered another fake agency and office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which has been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Aliyu said.

Nwabueze at the Centre of Investigation

Aliyu named George Nwabueze as the promoter of the alleged agency and said he was found to have used several variations of his name.

“The promoter Nwabueze was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” the ICPC chairman said.

The outfit’s website, however, listed Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”

The website presented the organisation as a national development institution with a broad mandate focused on Nigerian-made products, manufacturing and economic development.

Its stated vision was “Transforming The National From A Resource Dependent Nation Into A Vibrant Hub of Production Oriented Manufacturing Country, Turning The Population Into A Production Nation.”

Among its seven stated mandates were promoting economic development, reviving moribund factories through Build-Own-Operate-Transfer and Foreign Direct Investment arrangements, supporting local brands, fighting counterfeiting and promoting Made-in-Nigeria products through trade fairs and exhibitions.

Claimed Buhari-Era FEC Approval

The alleged agency also claimed to have legislative and executive backing.

Its website cited a purported “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission and for Related Matters,” which it described as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission Act, 2025.

It also claimed that the FEC approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” at a meeting held on February 1, 2017, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment was identified as the implementing ministry.

Nationwide Appointment Structure

The organisation further created a leadership arrangement covering several geopolitical zones.

Its national structure included Dr Bassey B. Unaowo, described as Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs in the OSGF; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni, listed as Director, National Administration; and Nwabueze.

Three zonal directors were also named for the South-West, North and South-East.

At the state level, coordinators were listed across parts of the North-West, North-Central, North-East, South-South, South-East and South-West.

The appointments included representatives for Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Bauchi, Delta, Abia, Anambra, Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, among others.

The profiles carried an official-looking green and white emblem bearing the words “National Brands Development, The Presidency, Made in Nigeria.”

The outfit also operated social media accounts under “@pmainpro” across Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

President Orders Arrest, Suspensions

The ICPC said its findings indicated that the alleged office existed without presidential authorisation and contrary to extant laws.

The investigation is linked to a wider probe that has already uncovered the alleged fictitious PFIPC, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution for alleged forgery and impersonation.

Following the ICPC briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest.

He also ordered the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — pending the outcome of investigations.

Aliyu said the ICPC was working with OSGF officials to determine how the alleged agency secured accommodation within the Secretariat and to establish the roles played by the suspended officials and other individuals connected to its network.

“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” Aliyu said.

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