The payment was made on December 21, 2023.
A SaharaReporters’ review of the public payments portal, Govspend, has revealed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, spent N9.6million on branded towels for his birthday.
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The payment was made on December 21, 2023.
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According to the description, the money was paid to Okwoli Aromeh “to the officer, to enable him produce souvenirs (branded towel gift items) in respect of SGF’s landmark birthday celebration in his home town.”
Okwoli, who received the money, is listed as the Chief Administrative Officer in the office of the SGF.
It would be recalled that Akume celebrated his 70th birthday on December 26, 2023.
He wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on December 27, 2023:
“Today marked a momentous occasion as I celebrated my Platinum Jubilee by hosting a heartwarming 70th birthday celebration and interdenominational service at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in my ancestral home of Wanune, Tarka LGA of Benue State.”
George Akume was appointed SGF in June,2023.
In May, a civil society group, Voice of the Voiceless Nigerian, called for the immediate suspension of Akume over allegations of involvement in an N80 billion fraud.
In a statement released in Abuja and signed by the group’s National Secretary, Oba Adewole Oluwatosin, the organization expressed deep concern over the silence of authorities despite ongoing investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group noted that Mr. Torhile Uchi, an aide to Akume, had already been arrested and interrogated, yet no action had been taken against the SGF himself.
“It is unacceptable that verifiable allegations of corruption are being swept under the carpet under an administration that campaigned on anti-corruption,” the statement read.
The group insisted that Akume’s suspension is necessary to ensure an impartial and thorough investigation into the scandal. It cited the EFCC’s reported uncovering of substantial evidence linked to the alleged N80 billion money laundering case.
Drawing comparisons with former SGF Babachir Lawal, who was removed from office over less severe allegations, the group questioned the perceived double standard and called for equal treatment under the law.
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Voice of the Voiceless Nigerian issued a seven-day ultimatum to both the EFCC and President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action. It warned that failure to suspend Akume and make public updates on the investigation would lead to nationwide protests.