ICPC Uncovers Fake National Brands Development Agency

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) revealed the existence of a fraudulent organization, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which had a structure across several states and two foreign countries. Hon. Nwabueze George was identified as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator” of this alleged fake office.

Following the discovery, President Bola Tinubu instructed the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, who was deemed the promoter of the office. Additionally, three permanent secretaries—M.S.

Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah—were suspended due to the unauthorized allocation of space for the office within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The ICPC found that Nwabueze operated under multiple variations of his name and that the office falsely claimed government affiliation. The website listed various directors and state coordinators across Nigeria, further indicating the extensive reach of this fraudulent operation.