Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into a man accused of creating and operating a fake government agency, marking the second such discovery in the country in recent weeks. The announcement came Friday from Musa Adamu Aliyu, head of Nigeria's corruption watchdog, after he briefed the president in the capital city of Abuja.
The recently uncovered bogus agency, identified as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was reportedly operating illegally from a government office and was led by George Buchi Nwabueze, according to authorities.
This latest scandal follows the discovery last month of another purported agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which had allegedly operated for years. Its director is said to have met with government officials and accessed public funds.
The individual accused of establishing the first fake agency has been arrested by police. Aliyu stated that the investigation into the initial case led to the identification of the second fraudulent operation.
Analysts suggest that individuals involved in these schemes may be collaborating with senior government officials to misappropriate funds from the national budget. Aliyu did not specify whether the accused man had profited from the scheme before its exposure.
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Nwabueze and suspended three senior government officials in connection with the case.