President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of three Permanent Secretaries after investigators uncovered another allegedly fictitious government agency operating from within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The development emerged from an ongoing investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) into alleged fake government bodies.
ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu disclosed the latest findings on Friday while briefing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Another alleged fake agency discovered
According to Aliyu, investigators uncovered an entity operating under the name National Brands Development and Mandates in the Nigeria Special Project Office.
The organisation had allegedly been given office space inside the SGF’s premises despite, according to the ICPC, lacking the required authorisation to operate as a government agency.
The discovery was made during the commission’s investigation into the previously uncovered Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
Aliyu said the ICPC had briefed President Tinubu on the new findings.
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Three Permanent Secretaries suspended
Following the report, the President ordered the immediate suspension of three Permanent Secretaries:
- M.S. Danjuma
- Engineer Nadungu Gagare
- Richard Pheelangwah
The ICPC chairman said the suspensions formed part of the President’s response to the discovery and the ongoing investigation into how the alleged fake agency was able to operate within government premises.
Alleged promoter ordered arrested
The ICPC identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the organisation.
Aliyu said Tinubu had ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest.
According to the ICPC, Nwabueze allegedly promoted the entity without presidential authorisation, contrary to the laws and procedures governing the creation and operation of federal government agencies.
The commission is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the organisation’s establishment and access to government facilities.
ICPC seeks answers from SGF’s office
Investigators have engaged the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to obtain documents and other information relevant to the investigation.
The inquiry is expected to examine how the organisation gained access to government office space and whether existing administrative controls failed to detect the alleged irregularity.
The investigation follows the discovery of the earlier alleged fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, suggesting that authorities are now examining whether wider weaknesses exist within government administrative systems.
IPPIS audit also under scrutiny
Aliyu said the latest discovery reinforces the importance of the forensic audit of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and other internal government processes ordered by the President.
The broader objective, he said, is to identify weaknesses that could allow fictitious agencies, offices or personnel structures to exist within the federal administration.
The ICPC said it would continue reporting relevant findings to the President as its investigation progresses.
The latest case puts renewed focus on the safeguards surrounding the creation of government institutions—and how an organisation allegedly lacking presidential authorisation was able to secure space inside one of the country’s most senior government offices.
Source: NAN