The Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning have disclosed to the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt how the administration of former Rivers sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), allegedly spent more than ₦302 billion received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and other sources between March and August 2025.
The revelations followed a Freedom of Information lawsuit (suit number PHC/4153/CS/2025) filed at the High Court by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which is seeking transparency and accountability regarding the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.
The case is currently before Hon. Justice S.H. Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt.
In a counter-affidavit dated 10 March 2026, submitted in response to SERAP’s suit, the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning stated that Rivers State received ₦253,480,052,907.33 in FAAC allocations between March and August 2025.
Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (capital pages of the Government House estimate), filed in support of the counter-affidavit and comprising 49 pages, provide some details of government expenditures exceeding ₦300 billion, including FAAC allocations and other funds.
The counter-affidavit stated in part: “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 Defendants/Respondents do not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and has no intention whatsoever of withholding the requested documents.
“The Defendants/Respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and copies are herein attached as Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (capital pages of the Government House estimate).
“By furnishing the documents requested, the Defendants/Respondents have substantially complied with SERAP’s demand.”
“While the Defendants/Respondents recognize the public interest in transparency and accountability, the delay in providing the requested information did not occasion any specific or proven injury to SERAP,” it said.
SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said, “We are studying the large documents on the spending of the over ₦302 billion [₦302,352,458,523.07] of FAAC allocations and other funds by the Rivers State government between March and August 2025.