ICPC says President Tinubu ordered the arrest and suspension of SGF officials over allegations that George Nwabueze’s project office is a “fake” federal agency. OSGF insiders claim the commission was misled by internal disputes, while Nwabueze alleges administrative sabotage, file suppression, and challenges the move in court (CV/2634/26).
By Amarachi Odenigbo
ABUJA, Nigeria — A fresh controversy has erupted around a Special Project Office housed in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) publicly linked the office promoter, George Nwabueze, to claims of operating a “fake” federal agency—claims that insiders say may have been driven by internal disagreements within the SGF office.
While the ICPC said President Bola Tinubu ordered the promoter’s arrest and the suspension of three permanent secretaries connected to the allegation, sources close to the OSGF indicate the commission may have been misled—and that the dispute is now playing out across administrative channels and the courts.
The ICPC’s recent position has triggered competing narratives: officials in the OSGF allege the controversy is rooted in an internal power struggle, while Nwabueze insists the project office is a lawful public-private initiative operating under the OSGF framework.
Documents and accounts reviewed by A1NEWS International indicate that the matter has escalated beyond routine governance processes, raising wider questions about how “unauthorised agencies” can emerge—or be alleged—within the OSGF without early clarification, and whether due process was followed before the commission made its public declaration.
ICPC “Misled” Over SGF Project Office—Officials Point to Internal Quarrel
Multiple officials within the OSGF told A1NEWS International that the ICPC may have been informed—possibly through petitions—based on internal conflicts rather than findings established through independent verification.
According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the commission’s assessment was triggered after a quarrel between the promoter and some directors in the SGF office.
They said the directors allegedly petitioned the ICPC, alleging that the promoter was operating a “fake agency,” while insisting to the contrary that the structure is only a project office, not an agency.
An official described it as an avoidable escalation, arguing that the ICPC’s approach appeared to treat the allegation as settled rather than performing due diligence sufficient to separate a project office from a purported agency.
“How Can a Project Office Become an Agency?”—Questions Over ICPC Findings
Insiders further questioned why the matter was framed as a discovery when, they claim, the office had operated from as far back as 2010.
They argued that a properly constituted project office would not transform into an “agency” simply because of disagreement within the SGF hierarchy, adding that the ICPC was allegedly presented with a narrative shaped by strained relationships in the same office.
A senior source within the ICPC space, speaking in confidence, also suggested that the commission’s public position has not translated into visible enforcement steps eight days after Tinubu’s purported approval of the arrest.
However, A1NEWS International notes that enforcement timelines and custody status remain contested and subject to official clarification.
Nwabueze Rejects “Unauthorised Agency” Tag—Alleges Sabotage and File Suppression
Reacting to the ICPC’s allegations, Nwabueze said the description of his organisation as an unauthorised government agency is wrong.
In a statement issued through his legal and communications team, he alleged administrative sabotage by serving and retired officials of the OSGF, including claims that important official files were withheld or suppressed.
He further claimed he petitioned the SGF on May 15, 2026 over the alleged withholding of strategic files—citing, among other matters, documentation linked to the country’s advance delegation to the Asia-Africa Summit 2026 and sub-national energy programmes.
Court Challenge Filed to Halt Administrative Eviction—“Subjudice” Claims
According to Nwabueze, he filed Suit No. CV/2634/26 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking to prevent what he described as threats of administrative eviction and continued file suppression.
He maintained that the case remains subjudice, arguing that any action attempting to remove or restructure the project outside due process would violate the active proceedings.
Legal and procedural contestation—especially in matters involving allegations of improper establishment or operations—often determines whether government agencies can proceed with administrative sanctions while litigation is underway.
Nwabueze Cites Executive Orders and OSGF Supervision Correspondence
Nwabueze insisted that the project is anchored on Executive Orders 003 (2017) and 003/005 (2018) (as cited in his statement), and described it as an approved public-private special initiative operating under the OSGF.
He also cited an alleged supervisory correspondence referenced as PS-PEAO/2025/008/4 from the Political and Economic Affairs Office of the OSGF, claiming it supported the project’s institutional standing.
In his account, the correspondence approved the composition of a five-member technical committee to oversee development objectives, monitoring structures, and public-private implementation frameworks.
ICPC Briefed President Tinubu—Suspensions Ordered, Additional “Fake Agency” Mentioned
The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, previously briefed President Tinubu and stated that the President ordered the arrest of Nwabueze and the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries in the SGF office.
The affected officials were named as MS Danjuma, Nandungu Gagare, and Richard Pheelangwa.
Aliyu also claimed the ICPC’s discovery related to investigations into allegations of another “fake” Presidential Foreign Intervention promotion structure, and referenced related investigative work as part of the broader probe into undetected fictitious entities.
Presidency Says Investigation Ongoing—“Wait for Final Recommendations”
The Presidency urged Nigerians to wait for final outcomes, stating that the ICPC’s investigation has not concluded.
Speaking on the matter, Temitope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, said the ICPC had submitted a preliminary report but was continuing its work and would make recommendations to strengthen systemic weaknesses identified during the probe.
The Presidency’s position suggests a shift from public certainty toward final institutional recommendations—an approach often aimed at reducing premature conclusions.
House of Representatives Spokesman Says Green Chamber Won’t Interfere
In a separate development, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, said the House was unlikely to open another parallel investigation.
Agbese explained that the matter was already under ICPC scrutiny and urged Nigerians to allow the commission to conduct its work without interference, noting that the House is already handling other related issues—including a PFIPC matter and an ad-hoc committee assignment nearing conclusion.
The ICPC’s decision to label the SGF project office as a “fake” agency has opened a high-stakes governance dispute with competing narratives: claims of internal SGF conflicts, allegations of file suppression, and a court challenge filed to resist administrative actions.
As investigations and enforcement measures continue, A1NEWS International will monitor whether the ICPC’s claims are substantiated through documented due process—or whether internal disagreement and alleged administrative interference distorted the commission’s understanding.
For a system meant to protect public integrity, the central question remains: was the allegation independently verified, or amplified by internal battles before the truth was fully established?
Leave a Reply