₦302 Billion Spent During Ibas’ Tenure As Sole Administrator – Rivers Govt

The Rivers State Government has disclosed that more than ₦302 billion was spent during the period Ibok-Ete Ibas served as the sole administrator of the state.

.....

The revelation was made by the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning before the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.

The information was provided in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

The suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is currently before Justice S.H. Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court.

According to a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026, the state received over ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025.

The affidavit added that the total funds received within the period, including other revenues, amounted to about N298.35 billion.

Documents attached as evidence included bank statements and capital expenditure records from the Government House estimate.

The documents, marked Exhibit DTI and Exhibit DT2, run into 49 pages.

The affidavit also revealed that although N28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television cameras at the Government House, no funds were eventually spent on the project.

“Our records show that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, but no expenditure was incurred in respect of the project,” the affidavit stated.

“Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided.”

The state government also said it did not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act.

“The Defendants/Respondents do not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and has no intention whatsoever of withholding the requested documents,” the affidavit said.

“The Defendants/Respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

“By furnishing the documents requested, the Defendants/Respondents have substantially complied with SERAP’s demand.”

SERAP said it is currently reviewing the documents submitted by the Rivers State Government.

Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation’s deputy director, said the records detailed spending of more than N302 billion during the period.

Oluwadare said, “We are studying the large documents on the spending of the over ₦302 billion of FAAC allocations and other funds by the Rivers State government between March and August 2025.

“Our teams are analysing the spending project-by-project and we will decide whether our requests for information have been fully complied with or whether a fresh request for information or an amendment to our originating processes is necessary.”

According to SERAP, the records show that N112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overhead costs.

Another ₦163.44 billion was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies, with more than ₦106 billion reportedly disbursed in August 2025 alone.

The documents also showed that ₦26.01 billion was used to service loans, while ₦491.59 million was spent on bank charges.

Additionally, more than ₦2.5 billion was released for the construction of Government House quarters, although about ₦1.1 billion was recorded as actual expenditure.

The records also indicated a revised allocation of ₦2.67 billion for office building repairs, with about ₦404 million spent on the project.

Another ₦350 million was allocated for canteen and kitchen equipment, while over ₦463 million was spent on rehabilitation projects.

According to the documents, a project initially budgeted at ₦800 million was later increased to ₦1.56 billion.

The records further revealed that the closing balance in the account as of August 2025 stood at ₦19.93 billion.

SERAP is asking the court to determine whether it is entitled to the requested information under the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.

The organisation filed the suit on October 31, 2025, against the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Justice Aprioku adjourned the case to May 19, 2026, for further hearing.

On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following a prolonged political crisis.

The president also suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Tinubu subsequently appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the sole administrator of the state.

The emergency rule ended on September 17, 2025, with Fubara directed to resume office the following day.

After the state assembly reconvened, lawmakers resolved to investigate the management of the state’s finances during the emergency rule.

However, Ibas rejected the resolution of the Rivers Assembly.