The Rivers State Government has revealed in court documents that over N302 billion was allegedly spent during the six-month emergency rule under former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), between March and August 2025. The state received over N253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) within the six months, and an additional N44.87 billion from other sources, bringing the total inflow to about N298.35 billion. However, the total expenditure during the period was put at over N302.35 billion.
The Rivers government's disclosure was made in response to a Freedom of Information suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) before the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt. The state government maintained that it was not denying SERAP access to public records, insisting that the requested documents had now been compiled and released in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
The documents attached to the court filing included 49 pages of supporting documents, including bank statements and capital pages of the Government House estimate. The records showed multiple transfers to Government House, payments to individuals through NIP transfers, and disbursements to various government agencies during the six-month period.
The Rivers State Government's revelation of over N302 billion spent during the six-month emergency rule under Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is a stark reminder of the lack of transparency and accountability in governance. The fact that over N106 billion was disbursed in August alone, indicating a heavy concentration of spending within one month, raises serious questions about the management of public funds. The government's decision to release the documents in response to SERAP's Freedom of Information suit is a welcome step, but it is essential that the organisation's analysis of the records reveals full compliance with the Act. The implications of this spending spree for everyday Nigerians are far-reaching, and it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
