Rivers: Adeyanju petitions ICPC over ₦283bn spending by Ibas

In the petition, signed by Adeyanju and addressed to the ICPC Chairman, the lawyer demanded an urgent investigation into how Ibas managed ₦283.3 billion received between March 18 and September 17, 2025, excluding Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Figures from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation show the amount included ₦36.6 billion in local government allocations for January and February 2025 and ₦246.7 billion in state and local government allocations from March to June 2025.

“Despite these massive inflows, there is little to no evidence of projects or tangible development carried out by his administration,” the petition alleged, citing only cosmetic renovations at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex.

The petition further accused Ibas of failing to publish mandatory budget performance reports for Q2 2025 and highlighted statements by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubu, which allegedly dismissed the authority of the Rivers State House of Assembly to scrutinise his financial conduct.

Adeyanju called on the ICPC to ascertain how the ₦283.3 billion was applied, determine if misappropriation occurred, and hold Ibas accountable for any wrongdoing.

Ibas, a retired Chief of Naval Staff (2015–2021), was appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025 following a state of emergency. He handed over on September 17, 2025, to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the reinstated Rivers House of Assembly.