The alleged National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office reportedly had 20 state coordinators, zonal directors and representatives in China and the United States before the ICPC uncovered its operations.

The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office was not operating as a small or isolated outfit. According to information uncovered after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) began investigating the organisation, it had established a structure spanning several states in Nigeria as well as China and the United States.

The organisation’s website reportedly presented Hon. George Nwabueze as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and listed a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in China and the United States.

The development comes a day after the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as the promoter of the alleged fake office.

The ICPC’s findings have raised questions about how the organisation was able to establish such an elaborate structure and operate from premises within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without presidential authorisation.

Aliyu said the President had also directed the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery.

According to the commission, the alleged office had been allocated space within the OSGF premises despite not having the required authorisation from the President.

The organisation’s reported structure suggested an attempt to present it as a legitimate government-backed institution, with officials assigned to different regions and states and representatives operating outside Nigeria.

The website reportedly listed 20 state coordinators, alongside zonal directors and other officials, giving the impression of a nationwide government-supported initiative.

It also listed representatives in China and the United States, further extending the organisation’s claimed reach beyond Nigeria.

The ICPC said its investigation also uncovered that the alleged promoter had operated under several variations of his name.

These included George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

The commission’s disclosure has intensified scrutiny of the individuals and government officials connected to the alleged office, particularly over how it secured space within a federal government facility and presented itself as an official government project.

President Tinubu’s directives — including the arrest of Nwabueze and suspension of the three permanent secretaries — followed the ICPC’s discovery and are expected to pave the way for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the establishment and activities of the alleged agency.

The ICPC is expected to establish the extent of the organisation’s activities, the identities and roles of those involved, and how it was able to operate while presenting itself as a government-backed initiative.

The development has also drawn attention to the need for stronger verification and oversight mechanisms within government institutions to prevent unauthorised individuals or organisations from presenting themselves as official agencies of the Federal Government.