By News Desk

ABUJA, Nigeria — The alleged promoter of an unauthorized government body, George Buchi Nwabueze, has released an official appointment letter carrying the letterhead of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) to deny claims that he operated a fake federal agency.

The reaction follows an order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Nwabueze’s immediate arrest after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) uncovered the “National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office” operating out of the OSGF complex in Abuja without presidential authorization.

Disputed Appointment and Official Backing

In response to the anti-graft agency’s findings, Nwabueze posted a copy of his official appointment letter online, insisting that his office was legitimately recognized and supervised by the OSGF:

• Official Letterhead: The document, dated October 3, 2025, and carrying reference number OSGF/MIN/59310/11/205, conveys approval for his appointment as National Coordinator and Executive Director of the Made in Nigeria Project Office for a five-year tenure.
• Defined Mandate: The letter outlines responsibilities including the supervision of programs across 36 states, managing regional coordinators, and organizing trade expos, economic summits, and exhibitions to promote local production under the government’s economic agenda.
• Physical Office Space: The document confirms that the project office was assigned temporary operational space in Room B53, Ground Floor, within the OSGF Shehu Shagari Complex in Abuja.

Presidential Sanctions and ICPC Investigation

Despite the release of the appointment letter, government authorities maintain that the entity was established and allocated space illegally through collusion with civil servants:

• Suspension of Permanent Secretaries: Following the ICPC briefing on August 21, 2026, President Tinubu ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries—M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah—pending full investigation into their involvement.
• Multiple Aliases Alleged: The ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated that Nwabueze operated the outfit under various name variations, including Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nathan Nwabueze, while soliciting funding, land, and partnerships from state governors and foreign trade bodies.
• Legal Challenge: Nwabueze, who claimed the project office had existed within the civil service framework for years, indicated plans to challenge the ICPC’s findings and clear his name through formal legal channels.