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ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years

Published

2 months ago

August 23, 2026

ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered an alleged fake government agency that operated from the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) for years while presenting itself as a properly constituted federal institution.

The organisation, identified as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, allegedly claimed that it had received Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval in 2017 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the ICPC said its investigation found that the office was operating without presidential authorisation and contrary to extant laws, raising questions about how it secured office space within the OSGF complex and maintained an official-looking structure for years.

The development was disclosed by ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, after he briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the Commission’s investigation into the alleged fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and other weaknesses in the public service.

Aliyu said the discovery of the alleged fake agency emerged from the broader investigation into how unauthorised organisations could operate within government structures.

He said the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office had been illegally allocated office space within the OSGF premises, despite allegedly lacking the required authorisation to function as a federal agency.

The Commission identified George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the organisation.

According to the ICPC chairman, Nwabueze allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Hon. George Buchi Nwabueze and Prince George Buchi Nwabueze.

A profile on the organisation’s website lists Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator”, further linking the individual to the organisation at the centre of the ICPC investigation.

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The organisation had built an elaborate public profile around its activities. Its website presented the office as an initiative focused on promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, supporting local industries, developing Nigerian brands and encouraging investment in domestic manufacturing.

Its stated objectives included the revival of moribund factories through investment arrangements, support for local brands, development of a national labelling and counterfeit surveillance system, and promotion of Nigerian products through trade fairs and exhibitions.

The organisation also published what it described as a “Bill for an Act to Establish the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission and for Related Matters.”

The purported legislation, identified on its website as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Promotion Commission Act, 2025, was presented as providing a legal framework for the establishment of a commission responsible for promoting Nigerian brands and local manufacturing.

However, the publication of the proposed bill does not, by itself, establish that the organisation had been legally created as a federal agency.

The organisation also claimed that its activities had a 2017 FEC approval.

According to information published on its website, the Federal Executive Council allegedly approved a “National Campaign to Sensitize Nigerians on the Patronage of Made-in-Nigeria Products” at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on February 1, 2017.

The organisation listed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as the implementing ministry.

That claim has become one of the issues requiring verification as part of the ICPC investigation. While the organisation presents the 2017 FEC approval as part of its history, the anti-corruption agency maintains that the office was operating without the necessary presidential authorisation.

The alleged agency also established an extensive nationwide leadership structure, with national, zonal and state coordinators.

Its published structure included officials assigned to different geopolitical zones and states, creating the appearance of a federal organisation with representation across the country.

The organisation’s website also displayed official-looking green-and-white insignia bearing references to “The Presidency” and “Made in Nigeria”, further contributing to its public presentation as a government-backed initiative.

It maintained social media accounts under the handle @pmainpro on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn.

The ICPC is now investigating how the organisation was able to maintain such a structure and operate from government premises without being stopped earlier.

Aliyu also alleged that the organisation’s promoter may have had the suspected collaboration of some senior public servants within the OSGF.

The Commission is examining the role of officials who may have facilitated the organisation’s access to office accommodation and other government resources.

Following the ICPC briefing, President Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of Nwabueze and directed the suspension of three permanent secretaries pending the outcome of the investigation.

The affected officials are M.S. Danjuma, Engr. Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The presidential action came amid a wider investigation into alleged fictitious government structures, following the earlier discovery of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

The ICPC had alleged that the PFIPC was not a legitimate federal government institution despite presenting itself as one. Its alleged promoter, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is facing prosecution over allegations including forgery and impersonation.

The discovery of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office has now widened concerns about fraudulent government structures and weaknesses in public-service oversight.

The case has raised questions about how an organisation allegedly lacking valid presidential authorisation could obtain office accommodation within the OSGF, establish a nationwide network of coordinators and maintain an official-looking online presence.

The ICPC said it had engaged officials of the OSGF to obtain additional information on how the organisation secured its accommodation and to establish the roles allegedly played by the suspended permanent secretaries and other individuals.

The Commission said its investigation would continue and that further findings would be communicated to the appropriate authorities.

For now, the alleged 2017 FEC approval, the circumstances surrounding the organisation’s occupation of government premises and the alleged involvement of public officials remain subjects of investigation.

The allegations against Nwabueze, the suspended officials and any other persons linked to the matter have not been established by a court. All individuals involved are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

ICPC uncovers alleged fake agency claiming 2017 FEC approval after nine years

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Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

Published

60 minutes ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja has sentenced 24-year-old Dahiru Yusuf Abbah to death by hanging for the killing of his father, Dahiru Yusuf.

Justice M.M. Gwatana handed down the sentence after finding that the prosecution had proved the case of culpable homicide against Abbah beyond reasonable doubt.

The court heard that the incident occurred on October 5, 2024, in the Sarkin-Noma area of Lokoja, when Abbah allegedly attacked his father and inflicted stab wounds on his chest and back.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment but died on October 9, 2024, from injuries sustained during the attack.

Abbah was subsequently arrested and arraigned on charges of culpable homicide and criminal conspiracy under Sections 221 and 97(1) of the Kogi State Penal Code, 2019, as amended.

During the trial, the prosecution called nine witnesses, including the deceased’s wife, Hajia Jumai Dahiru, and two of the defendant’s siblings.

Several exhibits were also presented before the court, including a blood-stained shirt, blood samples, a knife, a digital forensic report and a compact disc analysis.

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Although none of the prosecution witnesses testified that they directly saw Abbah stab his father, the court found that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to establish his involvement in the killing.

Justice Gwatana said the evidence, including the defendant’s blood-stained clothing and testimonies from members of the deceased’s family, linked Abbah to the fatal attack.

The court also considered the defendant’s failure to call a witness in his defence, apart from an Islamic cleric whose testimony about an inheritance dispute was considered unrelated to the central issue before the court.

The judge said the case before the court was a matter of culpable homicide, not an inheritance dispute.

Justice Gwatana convicted Abbah of culpable homicide but discharged him on the separate criminal conspiracy charge, ruling that the prosecution had not established that count to the required standard.

The court subsequently sentenced him to death by hanging for the killing of his father.

However, the judgment is not necessarily the end of the legal process. Defence lawyers Mohammed S. Inuwa and Mohammed S. Maihaja indicated that their client would appeal the conviction and sentence.

The defence reportedly challenged aspects of the evidence relied upon by the court in reaching its decision.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Bala, head of the deceased’s family, welcomed the judgment and said the family had been seeking justice for the victim.

The case could now proceed to the appellate courts if the defendant files the proposed appeal.

Death Sentence: Kogi Court Convicts 24-Year-Old of Killing Father

metro

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

A traditional ruler in Ayeka, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, High Chief Akinwalere Akinola, has been shot dead during the burial rites of a fellow traditional ruler.

The incident occurred on Tuesday as traditional rulers, community leaders and other mourners gathered for the funeral ceremony.

Akinola was reportedly struck in the head by a bullet during the proceedings and died from his injuries.

The shooting triggered panic among mourners and disrupted the burial ceremony as people scrambled for safety.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Some accounts in the community have described it as an accidental discharge, but the police have not confirmed that explanation.

The Ondo State Police Command has, however, confirmed the death and announced the arrest of one suspect in connection with the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said a thorough investigation had commenced.

“One suspect arrested. Meanwhile, thorough investigation has commenced,” Jimoh said.

The police have not publicly identified the suspect or disclosed the type of firearm involved.

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Investigators are expected to establish who was handling the weapon, how it was discharged and whether the shooting was accidental or deliberate.

A video reportedly showing part of the funeral gathering circulated online after the incident, although the full circumstances surrounding the footage and the shooting have not been independently established.

The death has thrown Ayeka community into mourning, coming at a ceremony intended to honour another traditional ruler who had died.

The incident has also renewed concerns about the presence and handling of firearms during public gatherings and traditional ceremonies.

For now, the police investigation remains ongoing, and no official conclusion has been reached on whether the shooting was accidental or intentional.

Ondo High Chief Shot Dead During Colleague’s Burial, One Arrested

metro

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

Published

2 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF)

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has warned Nigerians, particularly job seekers, against fake recruitment advertisements and forged appointment letters being circulated by fraudsters seeking to deceive members of the public.

The warning was contained in a public notice issued by the Fund and circulated to its Regional and Branch Managers through a memorandum dated October 5, 2026, signed by the Executive Director, Administration, Samaila Abdu.

NSITF said it is not currently recruiting for any position, describing employment advertisements circulating on social media, particularly Facebook, as fake.

The Fund said individuals and groups were falsely presenting themselves as representatives of NSITF and using purported employment opportunities to target unsuspecting members of the public.

It urged Nigerians to disregard such advertisements and not make payments to anyone in exchange for employment opportunities.

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NSITF stressed that it does not charge applicants any fee for employment and does not conduct recruitment through unofficial social media platforms or other unauthorised channels.

The Fund said genuine NSITF recruitment opportunities, whenever available, would be announced through its official communication channels.

“Stay alert, stay safe,” the Fund advised, urging anyone who encounters suspicious recruitment advertisements or requests to avoid responding and report them to the appropriate NSITF authorities.

The Fund has also directed all its Regional and Branch Managers to prominently display the warning at strategic locations within their offices.

The directive covers reception areas, main entrances and exits, notice boards, SERVICOM desks and other locations accessible to staff and members of the public.

NSITF said the notices should remain visible to help protect job seekers and other members of the public from fraudulent recruitment activities.

The Fund further urged Nigerians to verify recruitment claims through official NSITF channels before providing personal information, making payments or taking any other action.

The NSITF warning comes amid continued concerns over online recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit job seekers by offering supposed government employment in exchange for money or personal information.

NSITF reiterated that legitimate employment opportunities would be communicated through its recognised channels and warned Nigerians to remain vigilant when responding to unsolicited job offers.

NSITF Exposes Fake Recruitment Scam, Warns Nigerians Against Fraudsters