KEY POINTS

• Tinubu ordered the arrest of George Nwabueze over an alleged fake office operating within the OSGF.
• Three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — were suspended.
• ICPC says its wider investigation into fake agencies and government process weaknesses is ongoing.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and suspended three permanent secretaries following the discovery of another alleged unauthorised government office operating within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The latest development followed an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into alleged fake government agencies and weaknesses in the federal public service system.

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed the development on Friday after briefing President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Aliyu, the commission discovered an entity known as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operating from space within the OSGF.

The ICPC chairman said the office was allegedly allocated space in the government complex without the authorisation of the President.

The discovery was made as part of a wider investigation into the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), another entity suspected of operating without proper government approval.

Aliyu said the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was allegedly promoted by Nwabueze, who was said to have operated under different variations of his name.

The commission also suspects that some officials within the OSGF may have collaborated in allowing the office to operate from the premises.

Tinubu orders immediate arrest

Following the ICPC briefing, President Tinubu directed security authorities to arrest Nwabueze over his alleged role in the operation of the unauthorised office.

Aliyu said the president’s directive followed information obtained by the commission from officials of the OSGF during its investigation.

“Following the briefing, Mr President directed the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze,” the ICPC chairman said.

The arrest directive signals an escalation of the federal government’s investigation into individuals and structures allegedly exploiting government institutions without proper authorisation.

President Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries identified as M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The affected officials are expected to remain suspended while the ICPC continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorised activities.

The commission is examining how the alleged fake agency obtained access to government premises and whether public officials facilitated its operations.

Aliyu said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional actions could be taken if further evidence emerges.

The latest discovery forms part of a broader effort by the ICPC to investigate alleged fake agencies and weaknesses within Nigeria’s public service.

The commission has been examining the activities of the alleged PFIPC and other entities that may have presented themselves as legitimate government bodies despite lacking the necessary approval.

The investigations are also focused on identifying gaps in government procedures that could allow individuals or groups to establish unauthorised operations within official institutions.

Aliyu commended Tinubu for ordering a forensic audit of government processes, describing the exercise as an important step towards strengthening accountability and preventing abuse of public institutions.

The ICPC chairman said the forensic review could help identify weaknesses that make it possible for unauthorised individuals and organisations to operate within government structures.

The investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged activities, determine who was involved and examine whether government officials breached established procedures.

The development also highlights concerns over the need for stronger verification and approval processes before offices, projects or organisations are allowed to operate from federal government premises.

For the Tinubu administration, the investigation could become part of a broader effort to clean up government structures, improve transparency and prevent the misuse of official institutions.

The ICPC has not indicated how many other individuals may eventually face disciplinary or criminal action in connection with the investigation.

For now, the arrest directive against Nwabueze and the suspension of the three permanent secretaries represent the most significant actions announced in the latest phase of the probe.

The commission is expected to continue examining documents, government records and the roles of officials connected to the alleged unauthorised office.

Further actions are likely if investigators uncover additional evidence of misconduct or collaboration.