A 16-year-old office operating inside the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, has been exposed as an illegal entity, triggering the arrest of its head and the suspension of three top civil servants.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, said it uncovered the “National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office” during a routine verification of agencies domiciled within the OSGF complex.

According to findings by the ICPC, the office was run by one George Nwabueze, who styled himself as National Coordinator and Executive Director. The commission said the body had no legal backing, no appropriation in the federal budget, and no presidential approval for its establishment.

Investigators also discovered that the office operated under multiple name variations to give it an appearance of legitimacy. It had been allocated office space within the OSGF building and was issuing letters, making appointments, and interacting with the public as a government agency.

Nwabueze had earlier pushed back against allegations that the office was fake, insisting it had existed for 16 years and tendering an appointment letter as proof of authority. The ICPC said the document was not issued through due process.

Following the ICPC report, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed security agencies to arrest Nwabueze for impersonation and illegal operation of a government office.

The President also approved the immediate suspension of three Permanent Secretaries in the OSGF who were linked to the allocation of office space and administrative cover for the illegal body. The Presidency said the suspension will allow for a full investigation into how the office operated for years undetected within the seat of government.

A statement from the Presidency assured Nigerians that the administration remains committed to sanitizing the civil service and will not tolerate fraud or duplication of government functions.

The ICPC confirmed that its investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of activities of the office, its funding sources, and any persons or organizations that may have transacted with it.

The commission warned members of the public to verify the authenticity of any government agency before engaging with them, especially those requesting payments or partnerships in the name of “Made in Nigeria” initiatives.

The exposure has reignited debate about proliferation of quasi-government bodies and weak oversight within ministries, departments and agencies.

Sources: ICPC, Presidency, Punch, Vanguard