The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence Mr Richard Pheelangwah has resumed duty following the lifting of his suspension and his subsequent reinstatement by the Federal Government.

He returns three months after the President ordered his arrest over alleged involvement in fake agency creation.

President Bola Tinubu had in August 2026 ordered the immediate arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze, and suspended three permanent secretaries following the discovery of another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The suspended permanent secretaries were M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) formally welcomed Mr Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence on Tuesday 3, November 2026.

Back to the Ministry following the lifting of his suspension and his subsequent reinstatement by the Federal Government.

In his remarks, Mr Pheelangwah expressed appreciation for the opportunity to resume duty and reaffirmed his commitment to discharging his responsibilities with renewed dedication, professionalism and unwavering commitment to national service.

The Minister by his Special Assistant on Media Leah Katung-Babatunde expressed confidence in the cordial working relationship between them and emphasised the importance of building on the existing synergy to advance the Ministry’s mandate.

The occasion reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry’s leadership to institutional continuity, effective service delivery and the pursuit of Nigeria’s defence and security objectives. (LEADERSHIP)