The Rivers State Government says more than ₦302 billion was spent during the administration of Ibok-Ete Ibas while he served as sole administrator of the state.
The disclosure was made by the Rivers State 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 S. H. Aprioku, a judge 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 (FAAC) between March and August 2025.
The affidavit stated that the total funds received during the period, including other revenues, amounted to about ₦298.35 billion.
Documents attached as evidence include bank statements and capital expenditure records from the Government House estimates.
The documents, marked Exhibit DTI and Exhibit DT2, run into 49 pages.
“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 for 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 have no intention whatsoever of withholding the requested documents,” it stated.
“The defendants/respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
“By furnishing the requested documents, the defendants/respondents have substantially complied with SERAP’s demand.”
Reviewing Documents
Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP, said the organisation is reviewing the documents detailing the expenditure.
“We are studying the extensive documents on the spending of over ₦302 billion in 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 determine whether our requests have been fully complied with or whether a fresh request or amendment is necessary.”
He said the records revealed multiple transfers to Government House ranging from ₦1.8 million to ₦4.27 billion.
The documents also show several payments, including ₦61.9 million, ₦122 million, ₦170 million, ₦389 million, ₦750 million, ₦850 million, and ₦900 million.
Oluwadare said a single transfer of ₦4.27 billion was recorded in August 2025. He added that ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads.
He further stated that ₦163.44 billion was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), with more than ₦106 billion disbursed in August alone.
The documents also show that ₦26.01 billion was spent on loan servicing, while about ₦491.59 million went to bank charges.
Additionally, more than ₦2.5 billion was released for the construction of Government House quarters, with about ₦1.1 billion recorded as actual spending.
The exhibits also show a revised allocation of ₦2.67 billion for office building repairs, of which about ₦404 million was spent.
The records indicate an allocation of ₦350 million for canteen and kitchen equipment, while over ₦463 million was spent on rehabilitation projects.
A project initially budgeted at ₦800 million was later increased to ₦1.56 billion.
The documents show 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 access the requested information under the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.
The suit was filed 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.
Emergency Rule
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Tinubu imposed emergency rule on Rivers State due to a prolonged political crisis.
He also suspended Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state; his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
The president appointed Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.
The emergency rule ended on September 17, with Fubara directed to resume office the following day.
When the Rivers State House of Assembly resumed plenary, lawmakers resolved to investigate the management of the state’s finances during the emergency rule.
However, Ibas rejected the resolution of the assembly.
