Tinubu Shakes Up Civil Service, Suspends 3 Permanent Secretaries Over Fresh Fake Agency Scandal

The development followed an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which uncovered the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operating from the SGF complex without presidential approval.

According to the ICPC, the discovery was made during investigations into the previously uncovered fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), as well as concerns over weaknesses in government oversight and verification procedures.

ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, disclosed this on Friday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Aliyu explained that the purported agency had allegedly been given office space within the SGF complex despite having no presidential authorisation to operate.

The commission identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the office, adding that some individuals within the SGF’s office were suspected of facilitating its activities.

Following the ICPC briefing, President Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest and directed the suspension of three Permanent Secretaries: M. S. Danjuma, Engineer Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The ICPC said its investigation into the matter is ongoing. President Tinubu has also directed a forensic audit of government processes as part of efforts to identify loopholes and prevent similar abuses in the future.