The group urged Ibas to explain how he spent over ₦254.37 billion received from the Federation Account between March and August 2025.
Speaking via a Freedom of Information request, the rights group argued that 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.
SERAP said, “We’re issuing a Freedom of Information request 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.
“The FOI request would serve legitimate public interests.”
SERAP added that it would also help to challenge and redress any allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and address any abuses of the public trust.
The group said the FOI request was made in compliance 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, which guarantee everyone the right to information.
“The right of access to information also lets in light and allows the public to scrutinise the workings of the government and find truth in them.
“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 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 guarantee to everyone the right to information, including about how Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) spent the FAAC allocations and other allocations received during the period of emergency rule in the state.
“The Nigerian Constitution, Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations rest on the principle that citizens should have access to information regarding their government’s activities.
“Rivers state cannot hide under the excuse of emergency rule to refuse to provide the details being sought,” the rights group stressed.
© 2025 Naijaonpoint, a division of NOP Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]