The former Ibas spent more than ₦302 billion of Rivers State funds between March and August 2025, the state government disclosed in a court filing dated 10 March 2026, outlining allocations and expenditure obtained under the administration of Vice Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas (Rtd) as sole administrator.
The disclosure was made in a counter‑affidavit before the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt in response to a lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act by the Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The affidavit, filed by the Rivers State Accountant‑General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, stated that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations received by the state during the six‑month period amounted to ₦253,480,052,907.33.
It noted that additional internally generated revenue and other funds brought total spending under the former Ibas spent figure to more than ₦302 billion.
The disclosure was submitted in the ongoing suit with number PHC/4153/CS/2025, heard by Hon. Justice S.H. Aprioku at the Rivers State High Court.
SERAP filed the case seeking transparency and accountability in the expenditure of state funds during the period of emergency administration triggered by a 2025 federal decree.
In the counter‑affidavit, the Accountant‑General and Budget Ministry emphasised that FAAC allocations formed the majority of revenues used, while additional funds were from statutory allocations and other sources, finalising a comprehensive accounting of the six‑month period. The filing did not break down specific line‑by‑line figures in the affidavit made public.
The Rivers State government filing presented those figures as part of its legal defence against the SERAP suit.
The organisation’s complaint seeks full disclosure of how public funds were used by the state administration under emergency rule after the declaration by the federal government.
SERAP’s petition argued that citizens have a right under the FoI Act to detailed copies of receipts, payments and vouchers related to the expenditure while Ibas served as sole administrator.
Vice Admiral Ibok‑Ete Ibas, a retired chief of the Nigerian Navy, was appointed as sole administrator on 18 March 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the elected governor and assembly.
This emergency rule lasted six months, until 18 September 2025, when the elected governor resumed office.
Rivers State officials told the court that the former Ibas spent allocations in line with obligations and state functions, though critics and the plaintiff group argue that greater transparency is required, beyond the aggregated figures provided.
The counter‑affidavit emphasised that Rivers State received FAAC allocations of more than ₦253 billion during the six‑month period, supplemented by other revenues to exceed ₦302 billion.
The FoI lawsuit remains active before the High Court, with scheduled hearings to determine whether further disclosures of specific transactions, contract awards, and financial records must be released publicly.
Legal representatives for SERAP have indicated that the aggregated data falls short of full compliance with the FoI Act, which they say requires detailed accounting of all expenditures during the period.
