Rivers Govt Reveals Over N302bn Spent During Ibas’ Administration
The Rivers State government has disclosed that more than N302 billion was spent during the tenure of Ibok-Ete Ibas, who served as the state’s sole administrator.
The revelation came from the state’s accountant-general and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning at the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt.
The information was presented in response to a freedom of information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is pending before Justice S.H. Aprioku.
According to a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026, Rivers State received over N253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025.
With other revenues included, total funds received during the period amounted to about N298.35 billion.
Supporting documents submitted as evidence, including bank statements and capital expenditure pages from the Government House estimates, run into 49 pages and are marked exhibits DTI and DT2.
The affidavit noted that ₦28 billion had been approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, but no expenditure was incurred on the project.
“Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided,” it said.
The Rivers government also confirmed that it did not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act.
“The Defendants/Respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act,” the affidavit added.
Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP, said the organisation is reviewing the documents detailing the spending.
President Bola Tinubu had imposed emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, following a prolonged political crisis.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state assembly were suspended for six months. Ibas, a retired naval chief, was appointed as the state’s sole administrator.
The emergency rule ended on September 17, 2025, and Fubara resumed office the following day.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
