The Rivers State Government has disclosed that more than N302 billion was spent during the period of emergency rule when retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas served as sole administrator of the state.
The disclosure was made by the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning before the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.
The financial details were presented in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) suit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
The suit, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is pending before Justice S.H. Aprioku.
In a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026, the state government said Rivers received over N253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025.
It added that total receipts within the period — including internally generated revenue and other inflows — amounted to about N298.35 billion.
However, SERAP’s analysis of the documents puts the total spending within the period at over N302 billion, covering FAAC allocations and other revenues.
The state attached 49 pages of supporting documents, including bank statements and capital expenditure records from the Government House estimate, marked as Exhibits DTI and DT2.
The affidavit clarified that although N28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, no expenditure was incurred on the project.
“Our records show that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House but no expenditure was incurred in respect of the project. Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided,” the affidavit stated.
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The government further noted that it does not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and insisted that it had substantially complied with the organisation’s request.
Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP, said the organisation is carefully reviewing the documents to determine whether full compliance has been achieved or whether further legal steps would be required.
According to him, the records show multiple transfers to Government House ranging from N1.8 million to N4.27 billion, including a single transfer of N4.27 billion recorded in August 2025.
The records also show that one project initially budgeted at N800 million was increased to N1.56 billion. As of August 2025, the closing balance in the state’s account stood at N19.93 billion.
On March 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu imposed emergency rule in Rivers State following a prolonged political crisis.
The president suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial six-month period. Ibas was subsequently appointed as sole administrator to oversee the affairs of the state.
The emergency rule ended on September 17, 2025, with Fubara directed to resume office the following day.
Upon resumption of plenary, the Rivers State House of Assembly resolved to investigate the management of the state’s finances during the emergency period. However, Ibas rejected the resolution, setting the stage for further political and legal disputes.
Justice Aprioku has adjourned the FOI case to May 19, 2026, for further hearing, as the court considers whether SERAP is entitled to additional disclosures under the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act.