Oteh’s one-day food bill stirs fresh controversy

A receipt obtained by THE PUNCH on Tuesday revealed how the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arumah Oteh, allegedly spent the sum of N850,000 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. There were, however, discrepancies in the figures on the receipt. The receipt, which was dated March 24, 2010, was issued at exactly 9.57pm to the SEC boss. The bill was issued by Zuma Grill Restaurant and it contained expenses incurred by Oteh in three distinct total figures. In the first category, the bill recorded that Oteh was served two Aquafina Large, at the rate of N1,000; one Teem Soda Water, N500; five bottles of Star, N3,000; one 7Up, N500; two Chapman Large, N1,700; three Fresh Crayfish, N13,500; one Classical Snail, N4,500; four Lobster, N18,400; three Trad. Nativ. Poten, N12,000; one Roast Pork Belly, N4,000 four Pan Salmon, N19,200; Food, N71,600; Beverage A, N3,000; and Beverage N4,100. The total in this category, according to Transcorp, was N78,700 as against a total of N157,000 computed by our correspondent. The second category had four crème Brulee, N10,000; one Fruit Salad, N1,800; Food N83,400; Beverage A, N3,000 and Beverage N, N4,100. The total due was placed at N90,500 in contrast to N102,300 computed by our correspondent. The last total revealed that Oteh spent N91,400, which is against N92,300 by our calculations. She was served two Tea Earl Grey at N900; Food, N84,300; Beverage A, N3,000; and Beverage N, N4,100. A comprehensive total of the three categories as revealed by the hotel showed that the SEC boss spent N260,600. This, however, is against the total computation of N351,600. Meanwhile, in a letter obtained by THE PUNCH from SEC, the commission refuted that its boss consumed meal worth N850,000 and never submitted such a bill to the SEC. The letter reads “The bill referred to at the public hearing related to Ms Oteh’s hotel expenses during her stay at the Hilton following her assumption of duty. “We have reviewed her hotel expenses during her stay, and the highest charge for food was N83,400 on March 24, 2010. This bill was in respect of an official dinner hosted by the SEC with a group of international capital market experts who were visiting Nigeria to provide technical assistance to SEC Nigeria.” Transcorp invoice breakdown Items Amount 2 Aquafina Large 1,400.00 1 Teem Soda Water 300.00 5 Star 3,000.00 1 7UP 500.00 2 Chapman Large 1,700.00 3 Fresh Crayfish 13,500.00 1 Classical Snail 4,500.00 4 Lobster 18,000.00 3 Trad Native Poten 12,000.00 1 Roast Pork Belly 4,000.00 4 Pan Salmon 19,200.00 Food 71,600.00 Beverages R 3,000.00 Beverage N 4,100.00 4 Creme Brulee 10,000.00 1 Fruit Salad 1,800.00 Food 83,400.00 Beverage R 3,000.00 Beverage N 4,100.00 Total Due 90,500.00 2 Tea Earl Grey 900.00 Food 84,300.00 Beverage R 3,000.00 Beverage N 4,100.00 Total Due 91,400.00 Room NR 1026 Signature Charge 91,400 Chech H/No.049785