The Rivers State Government has disclosed details of how over ₦302 billion was spent within six months in 2025, following a lawsuit filed by Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project seeking transparency on state finances.
The revelations were made in a counter affidavit submitted by the State Accountant General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning before the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt. The case, marked PHC 4153 CS 2025, is being heard by S H Aprioku.
According to the government, Rivers State received over ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee between March and August 2025, alongside additional receipts of about ₦44.87 billion, bringing total inflows to approximately ₦298.35 billion within the period.
Supporting documents filed before the court, including bank statements and budget estimates, indicate that total spending slightly exceeded ₦302.35 billion. The expenditures covered salaries, pensions, overheads, transfers to ministries, departments and agencies, as well as loan servicing and other administrative costs.
The affidavit revealed that over ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries and pensions, while about ₦163.44 billion was allocated to government agencies. Notably, more than ₦106 billion of that amount was disbursed in August alone, showing a significant concentration of spending within a single month.
Additional figures show that about ₦26.5 billion was used for loan servicing and bank charges, while various payments were made to Government House, including multiple high value transfers running into hundreds of millions of naira.
The government also disclosed that although ₦28 billion was approved for a CCTV installation project at the State House, no funds were spent on it, and no supporting documents exist for the project.
Reacting to the filings, SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare said the organisation is reviewing the documents to determine whether full compliance with its request has been achieved or if further legal steps will be necessary.
The case stems from concerns over financial accountability during the administration of former sole administrator Ibok Ete Ibas, who governed the state during the period under review.
The court has adjourned the matter to May 19 2026 for further hearing as scrutiny of the financial records continues.
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