President Tinubu launches probe into second counterfeit government office in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has mandated a formal investigation into a newly uncovered fraudulent government body, the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, which was operating out of an official office and headed by George Buchi Nwabueze. The move came after anti-corruption chief Musa Adamu Aliyu briefed the president in Abuja, noting that the probe into the earlier fake Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council led to this discovery.

The prior sham agency had functioned for years, with its director meeting officials and accessing public funds, and its founder was already in police custody. Authorities believe the two schemes were linked to senior officials who exploited the bogus agencies to siphon budget resources. While it remains unclear whether Nwabueze profited, three senior government officials have been suspended and a warrant issued for his arrest. The scandal adds to growing concerns over corruption under Tinubu’s administration.