The Rivers State Government has disclosed that over ₦302 billion was expended within six months during the administration of former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), amid an ongoing legal challenge seeking transparency over the period of emergency rule.
The revelation was made in a counter-affidavit filed before the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt in response to a Freedom of Information (FoI) suit instituted by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
In the suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025 and presided over by Justice S.H. Aprioku, SERAP is demanding full disclosure of how public funds were utilised between March and August 2025.
According to the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the state received ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) within the period, alongside additional receipts of ₦44.87 billion, bringing total inflows to about ₦298.35 billion.
However, documents tendered as Exhibits DTI (bank statements) and DT2 (Government House capital estimates) indicate that total expenditures exceeded ₦302.35 billion.
The government stated that while ₦28 billion had been approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems at the State House, no funds were ultimately disbursed for the project.
The affidavit maintained that authorities do not dispute SERAP’s right to access information and have now complied substantially by providing the requested records, noting that any delay did not result in proven harm to the applicant.
Preliminary analysis by SERAP reveals extensive financial activity during the six-month period, including multiple transfers to Government House ranging from ₦1.8 million to as high as ₦4.27 billion. Several payments—₦61.9 million, ₦122 million, ₦170 million, ₦389 million, ₦750 million, ₦850 million, and recurring ₦900 million—were highlighted, alongside a single ₦4.27 billion transfer recorded in August.
Spending patterns also showed significant concentration within a short timeframe. Of the ₦163.44 billion allocated to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), over ₦106 billion was disbursed in August alone.
Further breakdown indicates that ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions and overheads, while ₦26.5 billion went toward loan servicing and bank charges.
Capital expenditures included over ₦2.5 billion earmarked for Government House quarters, though only ₦1.1 billion appears to have been utilised. Office building repairs were revised upward to ₦2.67 billion, with about ₦404 million reportedly spent.
Other allocations include ₦350 million for canteen and kitchen equipment, and over ₦463 million for rehabilitation projects, with one project’s cost rising from ₦800 million to ₦1.56 billion.
The closing balance in the state’s account as of August 2025 stood at approximately ₦19.93 billion.
SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the organisation is scrutinising the documents to determine whether full compliance has been achieved or if further legal steps are necessary.
The group is asking the court to affirm its right under constitutional and statutory provisions to access the financial records in question.
The matter has been adjourned to May 19, 2026, for further hearing.
