The Rivers State Government has disclosed that more than ₦302 billion was spent under the tenure of former Rivers sole administrator Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) within six months in 2025, according to documents filed before the Rivers State High Court.
The financial details emerged from a counter-affidavit submitted by the Accountant-General and the Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project. The case, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is being heard by Justice S.H. Aprioku and has been adjourned to May 19, 2026.
According to the affidavit dated March 10, 2026, Rivers State received ₦253.48 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations between March and August 2025.
Additional inflows of ₦44.87 billion brought total receipts during the period to approximately ₦298.35 billion. However, records attached to the filing show that total spending exceeded ₦302.35 billion within the same timeframe.
A breakdown of the expenditure shows that ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads, while ₦163.44 billion was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). More than ₦106 billion of the MDA funds was disbursed in August alone, indicating a concentration of spending within a single month.
The documents also show that ₦26.01 billion was used for loan servicing, alongside ₦491.59 million in bank charges, bringing total debt-related payments to about ₦26.50 billion.
Further analysis of the records reveals multiple transfers to Government House, ranging from ₦1.8 million to ₦4.27 billion. Several transactions, including repeated payments of ₦900 million, were recorded during the period. A single transfer of ₦4.27 billion was also made in August.
The affidavit highlights gaps in capital project spending. While ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, no expenditure was recorded for the project. Similarly, over ₦2.5 billion was reportedly released for the construction of Government House quarters, but only about ₦1.1 billion was reflected as spent. Office building repairs were revised to ₦2.67 billion, with about ₦404 million reportedly utilised.
In addition, ₦350 million was allocated for canteen and kitchen equipment, although the documents do not clearly state how much was eventually spent. Rehabilitation projects accounted for over ₦463 million, with one project initially budgeted at ₦800 million later increased to ₦1.56 billion. The closing balance in the state account as of August 2025 stood at ₦19.93 billion.
In their response, the defendants stated that they do not dispute SERAP’s right to access public information under the FOI Act and have now provided the requested documents. They added that the delay in releasing the records did not result in any proven harm.
Reacting to the disclosures, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare said the organisation is reviewing the documents and analysing the spending on a project-by-project basis. He noted that the group would determine whether full compliance has been achieved or if further legal action is necessary.
The lawsuit, filed on October 31, 2025, seeks a court declaration affirming SERAP’s right to access the financial records under provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.
The matter is expected to continue in May 2026 as scrutiny over public spending and accountability in Rivers State intensifies.