The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) request demanding full financial disclosure during the six months emergency rule of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) In Rivers State.
SERAP in the request seeks clarification on how over N254.37 billion received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025 was spent, including the alleged N22 billion budgeted for CCTV installation at the State House.
According to SERAP, the FOI request serves the public interest by promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The rights group stressed that access to such information is crucial for challenging any claims of corruption or mismanagement and for addressing potential abuses of public trust.
“Nigerians have a legally enforceable right to know how Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) utilized FAAC allocations and other funds during the period of emergency rule in Rivers State,” SERAP said in a statement.
The group cited various legal provisions supporting the request, including 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.
These laws collectively guarantee citizens the right to access information concerning government activities.
SERAP further warned that the state government cannot use the excuse of emergency rule to withhold details regarding public expenditures, reiterating that transparency is fundamental to good governance and the protection of human rights.
The request marks a significant move towards greater scrutiny of financial governance during a sensitive period in Rivers State’s administration.
