The Rivers State Government has disclosed that the administration of Ibok-Ete Ibas spent over ₦302 billion during his tenure as the state’s sole administrator.
This information was revealed by the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning during proceedings at the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.
The disclosure follows a Freedom of Information (FOI) lawsuit (PHC/4153/CS/2025) filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), currently presided over by Judge S.H. Aprioku.
“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 reads.
“Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided.”
The affidavit added that the state government 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,” it 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.”
Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP, said the organisation is reviewing the documents detailing the expenditure.
“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,” Oluwadare said.
“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.”
He said the records revealed multiple transfers to government house ranging from N1.8 million to N4.27 billion.
The documents also show several payments, including N61.9 million, N122 million, N170 million, N389 million, N750 million, N850 million and N900 million.
Oluwadare said a single transfer of N4.27 billion was recorded in August 2025. He said the records indicate that N112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads.
Oluwadare added that N163.44 billion was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies.
He said more than N106 billion of the amount allocated to MDAs was disbursed in August alone. The documents also show that N26.01 billion was spent on servicing loans.
Oluwadare further disclosed that bank charges alone accounted for ₦491.59 million during the period.
While ₦2.5 billion was allocated for Government House quarters, records indicate actual spending stood at ₦1.1 billion.
Similarly, despite a revised budget of ₦2.67 billion for office repairs, only ₦404 million was reportedly utilized.
The documents—which include an ₦800 million project that swelled to ₦1.56 billion—also detail allocations of ₦350 million for kitchen equipment and over ₦463 million for rehabilitation works.
As of August 2025, the state’s closing balance was recorded at ₦19.93 billion.
This legal battle, initiated by SERAP on October 31, 2025, seeks to affirm the public’s right to information under the FOI Act.
The proceedings come in the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s March 2025 declaration of emergency rule, which saw the suspension of Governor Fubara and the state assembly.
Judge Aprioku has adjourned the matter until May 19, 2026.
Persecondnews recalls that following the conclusion of emergency rule on September 17, Governor Fubara was reinstated the next day.
Upon reconvening, the Rivers State House of Assembly immediately moved to probe the state’s financial management during the intervention period—a resolution that Ibas has since rejected.
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