Tinubu Suspends Taraba-Born Pheelangwah, Two Other Perm Secs as ICPC Uncovers Alleged Fake Agency
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of three Federal Permanent Secretaries, including Taraba State-born Richard P. Pheelangwah, following fresh findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over an alleged fake government office operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
The three suspended Permanent Secretaries are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
The development, announced on Friday, August 21, 2026, followed a briefing by the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The ICPC said its continuing investigation uncovered an alleged unauthorised office operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office.”
According to the anti-corruption commission, the office had allegedly been allocated space within the premises of the OSGF despite lacking presidential authorisation.
The ICPC identified Prince George Buchi Nwabueze as the alleged promoter of the office and said investigators were examining the possible involvement of suspected collaborators within the OSGF.
President Tinubu consequently ordered Nwabueze’s immediate arrest while directing that the three Permanent Secretaries be suspended with immediate effect as investigations continue.
Taraba’s Pheelangwah Among Suspended Officials
Of particular interest to Taraba State is the suspension of Richard P. Pheelangwah, a senior federal civil servant from the state.
Pheelangwah has held important positions in the Federal Civil Service. He previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation before his subsequent posting to the Federal Ministry of Defence, where he has been serving as Permanent Secretary. Official Defence Ministry communications as recently as July 2026 identified him in that position.
His inclusion among the three officials suspended by the President therefore brings a direct Taraba dimension to the unfolding investigation.
However, the suspension should not be interpreted as a conviction or proof of criminal wrongdoing against Pheelangwah or either of the other Permanent Secretaries. The ICPC said its investigation is continuing, and further findings will determine the extent of individual responsibility, if any.
Investigation Widens
The latest discovery is connected to a broader ICPC investigation into alleged fake government bodies.
Earlier investigations centred on the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). An interim report submitted to President Tinubu on August 6 said investigators had uncovered other allegedly fictitious bodies while examining weaknesses that allowed unauthorised entities to appear connected to government.
The latest case raises fresh questions over how an allegedly unauthorised office could secure operational space within the premises of one of the most important offices in the Federal Government.
ICPC Chairman Aliyu said the commission had engaged the OSGF to obtain information relevant to the investigation and had comprehensively briefed the President.
The commission said investigations would continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged office and determine those responsible.
For Taraba, attention will particularly be on the outcome of the investigation involving Pheelangwah and whether the suspension will eventually be lifted or lead to further administrative or legal action.
