SGF Office Rift Triggers Controversy Over National Brands Project, ICPC Probe

An internal dispute between the promoter of the National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, and some directors in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) may have triggered the controversy surrounding the project office, Saturday PUNCH reports. Multiple officials in the OSGF claimed that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) was allegedly misled into believing that the project office was a fake government agency. According to one official, a disagreement between Nwabueze and some directors over unspecified issues prompted the officials to petition the ICPC, alleging that he was operating an unauthorised agency. “It is not a fake agency. It is a project office. The ICPC was misled into believing it is a fake agency by some directors,” the official said, adding that the office had operated since 2010 and could be wound down whenever necessary.

Another OSGF official questioned how a project office could be regarded as an agency, alleging that the ICPC was misinformed by individuals within the SGF’s office who had grievances against Nwabueze. Meanwhile, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, said the Green Chamber was unlikely to commence a separate investigation into the activities of the project office, noting that the House would not interfere with the ongoing ICPC investigation. “The matter is not before the House. If the ICPC is already investigating it, I think Nigerians should allow the commission to do its work,” Agbese said. He added that the House was currently focused on the PFIPC matter and that its ad-hoc committee was nearing the conclusion of its assignment.

The controversy intensified after the ICPC announced last Friday that President Bola Tinubu had approved Nwabueze’s arrest. However, Saturday PUNCH reports that eight days after the purported approval, no arrest had been made and Nwabueze was not in ICPC custody. A highly placed source at the commission confirmed that the embattled promoter was not in custody, saying, “That’s all I can tell you.” Nwabueze has also rejected the description of the organisation as an unauthorised government agency, alleging that some serving and retired officials of the OSGF had frustrated the project through administrative sabotage and the suppression of official files.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the Directorate of Legal Affairs and Strategic Communications, Nwabueze said the project was an approved public-private special initiative operating under the OSGF. He claimed to have petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on May 15, 2026, over the alleged withholding of strategic project files, including documents relating to Nigeria’s advance delegation to the Asia-Africa Summit 2026 and sub-national energy programmes. He also disclosed that he instituted Suit No. CV/2634/26 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over alleged threats of administrative eviction and file suppression, insisting that the case was intended to prevent attempts to remove the project from the OSGF without due process. Nwabueze maintained that the matter remains sub judice and said the project was anchored on Executive Orders 003 and 005 of 2017 and 2018, respectively.