Rivers lawmakers and civil society have demanded accountability for N254bn received under Ibas, but the ex-administrator dismissed any probe as a “fool’s errand.”
The immediate past Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), and the state House of Assembly appear headed for confrontation after lawmakers resolved to probe the state’s finances during his six-month tenure.
Ibas ceased to be administrator on September 17 following the expiration of emergency rule, which suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Assembly.
At its first sitting after resumption, Speaker Martin Amaewhule said the House would “explore the process of knowing what transpired during the emergency rule with regard to spending from the consolidated revenue fund.”
Findings showed Rivers received N254.37bn from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025, with over half drawn from the 13% oil derivation fund. Despite the inflows, the state has yet to publish its 2025 Budget Implementation Report, fuelling concerns about transparency.
Civil society organisations have also raised alarm. Coalition chairman Enefaa Georgewill said, “We suspect corruption… we will be calling on the governor and financial regulatory agencies to make sure that they question how the funds of Rivers State were expended.”
Reacting, Ibas, through his media aide Hector Igbikiowubu, dismissed the planned probe. “If you didn’t appoint the administrator, it goes to reason that you have certain limitations… such an enterprise amounts to a fool’s errand,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, at a thanksgiving service in Opobo, urged Rivers people to sustain prayers, describing them as his “pillar of strength” as he resumes leadership.