Tinubu suspends government officials
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and directed the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) uncovered another suspected fake government agency within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The suspended permanent secretaries are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The development followed a briefing by the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, at the State House on Friday.
It was the second briefing given to the President by the anti-corruption agency within two days, coming after an earlier meeting on Thursday.
The commission discovered an office operating as the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.
According to the investigation, the office had been given space inside the OSGF despite not being recognised as a government agency and without approval from the President.
The discovery was made as part of the wider investigation ordered by Tinubu into the activities of fictitious government bodies and weaknesses in the public service.
Investigators identified Nwabueze as the person behind the newly discovered office.
The ICPC also found that he allegedly used several versions of his name, including George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
The commission also found indications of collaboration involving individuals within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The matter has therefore been linked to the ongoing investigation into how unauthorised offices and organisations were able to operate within government premises.
Following the latest findings, the ICPC engaged the OSGF to obtain information and documents connected to the office.
The commission then presented its findings to the President and continued with its investigation.
Tinubu subsequently ordered security authorities to arrest Nwabueze and directed that the three permanent secretaries be suspended while the investigation continues.
