The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) request to compel Ibok-Ete Ibas, former Rivers state administrator, to account for over N254.37 billion received from the federation account between March and August 2025.
The group said the request also covers the N22 billion allegedly budgeted for closed-circuit television (CCTV) in the state house during Ibas’ tenure.
In a statement on Monday, SERAP said the request is in the public interest as access to such information would enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
“The right of access to official information such as the spending by the past Rivers state administrator would enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
“It would also help to challenge and redress any allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and address any abuses of the public trust,” the group said.
SERAP added that the right to information allows citizens to scrutinise government actions and demand accountability.
“Nigerians have the right to know how Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) spent the FAAC allocations and other allocations received during the period of emergency rule in the state. It is part of their legally enforceable human rights,” the statement reads.
The organisation cited section 39 of the 1999 constitution, the FoI Act, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as legal backing for its demand.
“Rivers state cannot hide under the excuse of emergency rule to refuse to provide the details being sought,” SERAP said.
