Rivers: IBAS spent $302 billion in six months – government tells court

The Rivers State Government has told the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt that over $302 billion was spent during the six-month administration of the former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), between March and August 2025.

The disclosure was contained in a counter-affidavit filed with the court in response to a freedom of information lawsuit brought by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

The lawsuit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, seeks full disclosure of how public funds were spent during the emergency period in the state.

Government, through the General Accounting Office and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said Rivers State received a total of N253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee during the period, along with additional inflows of N44.87 billion, bringing the total receipts to about N298.35 billion.

However, documents tendered before the court indicated that the total expenditure rose to N302.35 billion, exceeding the recorded inflows.

The government attached bank statements and capital expenditure documents as documents to support its claims, noting that it had substantially complied with SERAP’s request for information under the FOI Act.

He further revealed that although N28bn was approved for the installation of CCTV cameras at Government House, ultimately no funds were spent on the project, hence the absence of supporting documents.

The State said it had no intention of withholding information, stressing that any delay in responding to the request did not cause any harm to the requester.

“Defendants have compiled and provided the requested information as required by law,” the affidavit reads in part.

The case is before Justice Sika Aprioku and has been adjourned to May 19, 2026 for further hearing.

Reacting, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the organization was reviewing the 49-page documents submitted by the state government.

According to him, the preliminary findings suggest “significant transfers and concentrated spending”, adding that further action will depend on the outcome of his detailed analysis.

The case is anchored on the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, which guarantee citizens’ right to access public information.

‘

Want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need advertising for a product, service or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com

We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Please donate any amount HERE