The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said its investigation into the alleged operation of fake federal agencies is not over, despite the reinstatement of two permanent secretaries suspended over the matter.
The commission said it stood by its earlier disclosure that investigations had uncovered other purported fake agencies within the Federal Government.
The ICPC spokesman, John Odey, disclosed this while responding to enquiry on the status of the investigation in Abuja.
“The ICPC stands by what it said about finding out in the course of our investigations that there were some other fake agencies. Investigations are ongoing.
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“As usual, when the ICPC is ready to either go to court or not to go to court, we would let you know. But for now, investigations are ongoing. Let it be on record that the ICPC stands by what it said before.”
The commission had, on August 21, 2026, announced the discovery of a purported fake federal agency known as the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office.
The commission alleged that the outfit was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with the suspected collaboration of senior public servants in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Following the briefing, President Bola Tinubu ordered Nwabueze’s arrest and the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries: Mohammed Danjuma, Nandungu Gagare, and Richard Pheelangwa.
However, Nwabueze denied the allegation, insisting that the Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had existed in the OSGF since July 16, 2010.
He said, “Made in Nigeria Special Project Office is a project office in the OSGF. We don’t know where fake agency comes from. A programme that has been in the SGF’s office since 16 July 2010 was just discovered yesterday (Friday). After 16 years; Nigeria is a funny country.”
Meanwhile, Danjuma, the Permanent Secretary, Finance (Special Duties), was reinstated following presidential approval conveyed in a letter dated October 22, 2026, by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Olumuyiwa Abel.
His reinstatement took effect on October 21.
Similarly, Pheelangwa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, resumed duty on November 3 after the Federal Government lifted his suspension.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), formally welcomed him back to the ministry, according to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde.