The Rivers State Government has disclosed that it spent over ₦302 billion during the tenure of Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator of the state. This revelation was made in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project before the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt. The state government provided the information in a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026, which included bank statements and capital expenditure records from the Government House estimate.
According to the affidavit, the state received over ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025. The total funds received within the period, including other revenues, amounted to about ₦298.35 billion. The state government also revealed that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television cameras at the Government House, but no funds were eventually spent on the project.
SERAP, the organisation that filed the lawsuit, is currently reviewing the documents submitted by the Rivers State Government. The organisation's deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stated that the records detailed spending of more than ₦302 billion during the period. The documents showed that ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overhead costs, while ₦163.44 billion was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies.
The revelation of over ₦302 billion spent during Ibok-Ete Ibas' tenure as sole administrator of Rivers State raises serious questions about the state's financial management. The fact that ₦28 billion was approved for CCTV installation but no funds were spent on the project is particularly concerning. As President Bola Tinubu's state of emergency in Rivers State ended in September 2025, it is essential to hold the state government accountable for its spending. The impact of this spending on everyday Nigerians, particularly in a state with significant economic challenges, is a pressing concern. The state government's compliance with SERAP's request for information is a step in the right direction, but a thorough investigation is needed to ensure transparency and accountability.
