ABUJA, Nigeria — ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — President Bola Tinubu has mandated an investigation into a fraudulent government entity, marking the second such case identified under his administration in recent months.
Musa Adamu Aliyu, head of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, disclosed the probe during a briefing to the president in the capital, Abuja.
The fraudulent organization, named the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was found operating illegally from a government facility under the leadership of George Buchi Nwabueze, according to authorities.
This incident follows the earlier disclosure of another fictitious agency, the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, which had been active for years while engaging with officials and misusing public funds.
Police have arrested the individual linked to the first fake agency, with Aliyu indicating this case uncovered the second one.
Experts suspect collaboration between developers of these agencies and high-ranking officials to divert funds from the national budget.
Aliyu did not confirm if financial gains were made by the accused before detection.
Three senior officials have been suspended, and an arrest warrant has been issued for Nwabueze.
