Nigerians Deserve to Know How Ibas Utilized N254 Billion – SERAP

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the former sole administrator of Rivers State, has been the subject of demands from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to look into his spending.
Between March and August 2025, Ibas got about ₦254.37 billion from the Federation Account; the organization demanded him to provide an explanation for his spending.

Through a Freedom of Information request, the rights group contended that access to official data, including the expenditures made by the previous Rivers State Administrator, would improve accountability and transparency in the administration of public funds.

“To compel the immediate past Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to explain how his government spent the over N254.37bn received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025, including the N22bn allegedly budgeted for CCTV in the State House,” SERAP stated in a Freedom of Information request.

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“Reputable public interests would be served by the FOI request.”

Additionally, SERAP stated that it will assist in responding to and disputing any claims of corruption, poor management, or misuse of the public trust.

Everybody has the right to information, according to the group, and the FOI request was submitted in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The public’s ability to examine and discover the truth in the government’s operations is another benefit of the right to information access.

It is the right of Nigerians to know how Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) used FAAC funds and other funds obtained during the state’s emergency time. It is a component of their legally protected human rights.

Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Freedom of Information Act all guarantee everyone the right to information, including information about how Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) used FAAC funds and other funds obtained during the state’s emergency rule.

The foundation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption and human rights commitments, the Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s Constitution is the idea that people should be able to learn about the actions of their government.

“Rivers State cannot refuse to provide the requested details by citing the emergency rule as an excuse,” the rights group emphasized.