The Rivers State Government has told a High Court in Port Harcourt that over ₦302 billion was spent during the six-month administration of former sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd).
The disclosure was made in a counter-affidavit filed by the state’s Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in response to a lawsuit by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The case, marked PHC/4153/CS/2025, is before Justice S.H. Aprioku.
According to the filing dated 10 March 2026, Rivers State received over ₦253.48 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows between March and August 2025. Additional receipts of about ₦44.87 billion brought total inflows to roughly ₦298.35 billion.
However, documents attached to the affidavit showed that total spending during the period rose to over ₦302.35 billion. The records include bank statements and capital expenditure details submitted as exhibits.
The government said ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions and overheads, while ₦163.44 billion went to ministries, departments and agencies. More than ₦106 billion of that amount was disbursed in August alone.
Loan servicing and bank charges accounted for about ₦26.5 billion. The documents also showed repeated transfers to Government House, ranging from ₦1.8 million to ₦4.27 billion, including multiple transactions of ₦900 million.
On capital projects, ₦2.5 billion was released for Government House quarters, but about ₦1.1 billion was recorded as spent. Office building repairs were revised to ₦2.67 billion, with about ₦404 million disbursed.
The affidavit also noted that ₦28 billion was approved for CCTV installation at the State House, but no funds were spent on the project.
SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the organisation is reviewing the documents to assess compliance with its request for transparency. He added that further legal steps may follow if necessary.
The government maintained that it has complied with the Freedom of Information Act by providing the requested records.
The case has been adjourned to 19 May 2026 for further hearing.
