By Derick peretengboro

ABUJA — Fresh controversy has emerged at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) over the status of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, following allegations that an internal disagreement involving senior officials may have influenced the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to describe the initiative as a “fake agency.”

According to sources within the OSGF, the controversy reportedly followed a dispute between George Nwabueze, promoter of the special project office, and some directors within the government office.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that petitions submitted by the directors may have contributed to the ICPC’s decision to investigate and subsequently describe the project office as an unauthorised agency.

The officials, however, maintained that the initiative has operated within the OSGF since 2010 as a public-private special project office and not as a statutory government agency.

They further alleged that the ICPC may not have carried out sufficient administrative verification before making its initial pronouncement.

The controversy intensified after the ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), reportedly briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the discovery of what was described as a fake agency operating within the OSGF.

Following the briefing, the President was reported to have ordered the arrest and prosecution of Nwabueze, while three Permanent Secretaries — MS Danjuma, Nandungu Gagare and Richard Pheelangwa — were suspended.

However, a senior ICPC source reportedly disclosed that Nwabueze has not been arrested and remains outside custody.

Nwabueze has since rejected the allegation that the project office is fake.

In a statement issued through his Directorate of Legal Affairs and Strategic Communications, he accused serving and former OSGF officials of administrative sabotage and deliberately withholding critical documents relating to the project.

He argued that the initiative operates under the OSGF as a public-private special project connected to Executive Orders 003 and 005 of 2017 and 2018.

According to him, the project is supported by official government correspondence as well as the approval of a five-member technical committee by the Political and Economic Affairs Office of the OSGF.

Nwabueze also disclosed that he had petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on May 15, 2026, over what he described as the suppression of files relating to the Asia-Africa Summit 2026 advance delegation and energy programmes.

He further stated that he had instituted Suit No. CV/2634/26 before the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge alleged administrative threats to evict the project office from its premises.

With the matter now before the court, Nwabueze maintained that some aspects of the dispute are sub judice.

Meanwhile, the ICPC has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations made by Nwabueze and the OSGF insiders.

The spokesperson for the SGF, Christopher Ugwuegbulam, also declined to comment, saying he would only respond to a formal written request.

The Presidency has meanwhile called for restraint and patience, stressing that the ICPC investigation has not been concluded.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the anti-corruption commission had only submitted a preliminary report to the President.

According to him, the investigation and recommendations concerning alleged systemic weaknesses within the affected government structures have not been finalised.

The unfolding development is expected to attract further scrutiny as the ICPC completes its investigation and the court proceedings continue.