The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for a probe into the financial dealings of former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), demanding clarity on how he managed over N254.37 billion received from the Federation Account between March and August 2025.
In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, the rights group asked Ibas to account for allocations, including a reported N22 billion allegedly budgeted for installing CCTV at the State House. SERAP argued that full disclosure would promote transparency, accountability, and help address allegations of corruption or mismanagement during his tenure.
The group emphasised that the request aligns with the Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights—all of which guarantee citizens the right to access official information.
According to the group, access to such details is a fundamental tool for public scrutiny, ensuring that government activities remain open to oversight and truth-seeking. It insisted that the emergency rule in Rivers State cannot be used as a cover to withhold critical financial records.
However, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has rubbished the move by the Rivers State House of Assembly to probe Ibas.
According to him, such a probe cannot be completed without President Bola Tinubu being mentioned.
Eze said he does not see the state Assembly having the courage to try the former sole administrator.
During its first sitting after the President lifted the suspension on democratic rule in Rivers, the state Assembly ordered the probe of the Ibas.
Eze said it must be noted that the comment ends there, adding that it was a mere hoax.
Ibas has since pushed back against the state Assembly’s plan to probe expenditures under his leadership.
Ibas administered the state from March through mid-September. He handed back power on September 17.
During that time, Rivers State received approximately N254.37 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The largest share of the allocations, over 50 per cent, came via oil derivation, underscoring the state’s dependence on oil-linked revenues.
