Rivers’ former sole administrator, Ibas, approved N28 billion for CCTV at State House, the state government has revealed

The Rivers State Accountant General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning have revealed that the administration of former sole administrator of Rivers, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) approved ₦28 billion for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House.

The disclosure follows a Freedom of Information lawsuit with lawsuit number PHC/4153/CS/2025, filed in the High Court by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which seeks transparency and accountability regarding the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.

In a reply statement dated March 10, 2026 and filed in response to SERAP’s lawsuit, the Accountant General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning stated that: “Our records show that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in the State House but no expenditure was incurred in connection with the project. Therefore, no documents proving such expenditure can be provided.”

They also told the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt how the Ibas administration allegedly spent over ₦302 billion received from Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations and other funds between March and August 2025.”

The suit is pending before Hon. Justice SH Aprioku of the River State High Court, Port Harcourt.

“FAAC allocation received by Rivers state between March and August 2025 exceeds ₦253 billion [₦253,480,052,907.33]”, the written statement said.

Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (DPR estimated capital page), filed in support of the counterclaim and consisting of 49 pages, provide some details of government expenditure in excess of ₦300 billion, including FAAC allocation and other funds.

The reply statement read in part: “Our records show that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at State House but no expenditure was incurred in connection with the project. Therefore, no documents proving such expenditure can be provided.”

“The Defendant/Respondent does not challenge SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and does not have any intention to withhold the requested documents.”

“The Defendant/Respondent has now collected and provided the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and copies thereof are attached as Exhibit DTI (bank statement) and Exhibit DT2 (Government Building estimated capital page).”

“By completing the requested documents, the Defendant/Respondent has substantially fulfilled SERAP’s demands.”

“Even though the Defendant/Respondent recognizes the public interest in transparency and accountability, the delay in providing the requested information did not result in any specific or proven harm to SERAP.”

SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare today said, “We are studying a huge document regarding the expenditure of over ₦302 billion [₦302,352,458,523.07] allocation of FAAC and other funds by the Rivers State government between March and August 2025.”

“Our team is analyzing expenditures project by project and we will determine whether our information requests have been fully met or whether new information requests or changes to our initial processes are necessary.”

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“Our initial assessment of two pieces of evidence—Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (DPR estimated capital page)—shows, among other things, the following details:”

“Rivers State received FAAC inflows of over ₦253.48 billion (₦253,480,052,907.33) and other receipts totaling over ₦44.87 billion (₦44,868,976,368.32) from March to August 2025, bringing the total funds received to approximately ₦298.35 billion (₦298,349,029,275.65).”

“The two exhibits also show transfers to government agencies, payments to individuals (NIP transfers), and recurring transfers to Government House over the period March to August 2025. In total, over ₦302.35 billion is shown to have been spent during this period.”

“The exhibit shows several payments to Government House ranging from ₦1.8 million to ₦4.27 billion, including transactions of ₦61.9 million, ₦122 million, ₦170 million, ₦389 million, ₦750 million, ₦850 million, and ₦900 million—with payments of ₦900 million occurring repeatedly. Notably, a single transfer of ₦4.27 billion was recorded in August.”

“Over ₦112.41 billion (₦112,408,021,641.07) was reportedly spent on salaries, pensions and overhead costs, while ₦163.44 billion (₦163,441,654,922.70) was allocated to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).”

“More than ₦106 billion of the ₦163.44 billion allocated for MDAs was disbursed in August alone, indicating a significant concentration of spending in one month.”

“In addition, over ₦26.01 billion (₦26,011,189,540.73) was reportedly spent on repaying loans, while over ₦491.59 million (₦491,592,418.57) was spent on bank fees, bringing the figure to around ₦26.50 billion (₦26,502,781,959.30) in the same period.”

“More than ₦2.5 billion was spent on the construction of Government buildings, but only about ₦1.1 billion is reflected in the exhibits as actual spending. The exhibits show a revised allocation of ₦2.67 billion for repair of office buildings, while about ₦404 million was spent.”

“₦350 million was stated to be allocated for canteen and kitchen equipment. It is not clear from the exhibits how much was spent on the project. Over ₦463 million was shown to be used for the rehabilitation project. The project originally budgeted at ₦800 million was apparently increased to ₦1.56 billion.”

“The closing balance of the account in August 2025 is ₦19,929,707,462.66.”

In its complaint, SERAP seeks a determination of the following question: “Whether, taking into account the combined provisions of Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2), and

39 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and Sections 1(1), 2(3)(d)(v), 2(4), and 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, SERAP has no right to access and obtain the information requested from the Defendant/Respondent.”

The suit filed by SERAP on October 31, 2025 against the Rivers State Accountant General and Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is pending before Hon. Judge SH Aprioku from the Sungai Negeri High Court.

The lawsuit has been postponed to May 19, 2026 for further hearing.