Legal filings show massive expenditures within six months as SERAP pushes for accountability over Rivers State finances during emergency administration
Fresh revelations from court documents through SERAP have shown that the Rivers State Government expended over ₦302 billion within six months under the administration of former Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), sparking renewed concerns over public financial accountability.
The disclosures emerged during ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which is seeking full transparency on how public funds were managed during the emergency governance period between March and August 2025.
According to documents presented before a High Court in Port Harcourt, the state reportedly received over ₦253 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements within the period. Additional inflows of about ₦44 billion brought the total available funds close to ₦298 billion. However, total expenditure exceeded ₦302 billion, raising questions about fiscal management and budget execution.
A breakdown of the spending indicates that over ₦112 billion was used for salaries, pensions, and overhead costs, while approximately ₦163 billion was disbursed to various ministries, departments, and agencies. The documents also revealed a notable surge in spending, with over ₦106 billion reportedly spent in August alone.
Further details show that more than ₦26 billion was used for debt servicing, alongside bank charges totaling nearly ₦500 million. Several high-value transactions to Government House accounts were also listed within the period under review.
In terms of capital projects, over ₦2.5 billion was approved for Government House quarters, though only about ₦1.1 billion was reportedly spent. Similarly, out of a revised ₦2.67 billion allocation for office repairs, only about ₦404 million was utilized.
The documents also disclosed that although ₦28 billion was earmarked for the installation of CCTV systems at the Government House, no funds were eventually spent on the project, with no supporting financial records provided.
SERAP has confirmed that it is currently reviewing the submitted financial statements, including bank records and budget documents, to determine whether the Rivers State Government has complied with its Freedom of Information request. The organization has indicated that further legal steps may be taken if discrepancies are identified.
The case has been adjourned to May 19, 2026, as scrutiny intensifies over the financial activities carried out during the six-month administration.
Read also Court Documents Reveal ₦302 Billion Spending in Rivers Under Ex-Sole Administrator Ibas – SERAP
