A public interest law firm headed by human rights activist, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), seeking a probe into the financial dealings of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), who served as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State.
The petition, signed by Adeyanju and addressed to the ICPC Chairman, urged the anti-graft body to conduct a thorough investigation into the funds that passed through the former administrator during his tenure between March 18 and September 17, 2025. The group explained that its request was in line with its mission to ensure accountability and fight corruption in governance.
“We are a public interest litigation law firm, dedicated to advancing human rights, promoting accountability in government, and curbing corruption in Nigeria,” the petition stated.
“It is in pursuit of this objective and in the interest of justice that we formally write to petition the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately investigate the financial records of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), who served as Sole Administrator of Rivers State within the period of March 18 to September 17, 2025.”
Relying on figures obtained from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the law firm alleged that Rivers State received N283.3 billion under Ibas’ administration, not including its internally generated revenue.
The breakdown showed that the sum comprised N36.6 billion in local government allocations for January and February 2025, which had earlier been withheld, and an additional N246.7 billion in joint state and local government allocations between March and June 2025.
Despite these huge inflows, Adeyanju’s firm claimed that Rivers people witnessed little to no tangible projects during the six-month administration.
“This figure consisted of N36.6 billion as local government allocations for January and February 2025, alongside N246.7 billion as allocations for both the state and local councils between March and June 2025.
“Yet, despite these enormous resources, there is hardly any evidence of major projects or meaningful development executed by the administration,” the petition read.
According to the group, aside from what it described as “a cosmetic renovation and painting of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex,” the administration of Ibas left behind no significant developmental achievements.
The law firm also accused the ex-administrator of failing to publish the statutory budget performance reports for the second quarter of 2025, a clear breach of transparency laws.
It equally raised concerns about remarks credited to his media adviser, Hector Igbikiowubu, suggesting that Ibas was not answerable to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Worryingly, his administration neglected to release the compulsory budget performance report for the second quarter of 2025,” the petition continued.
“What is even more troubling are recent comments attributed to him through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubu, where he dismissed the authority of the Rivers State House of Assembly to investigate his financial activities.
“He argued that since he was appointed by the President and overseen by the National Assembly, he was only accountable to them and not to the Rivers State legislature.”
The petitioners urged the ICPC to probe Ibas’ tenure, scrutinize how the N283.3 billion was expended, and determine whether any mismanagement or diversion of public funds took place.
“It is for this reason that we demand that the ICPC: Investigate the financial dealings of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd) during his term as Sole Administrator of Rivers State; establish how the total sum of N283.3 billion was utilized, including state and local government allocations; and determine if there was any case of misappropriation, diversion, or abuse of office. If found culpable, he should be held to account,” the petition read further.
“We trust in the Commission’s mandate to protect public resources and its dedication to fighting corruption, and therefore call for urgent action on this matter.”
Vice Admiral Ibas was appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State in March 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency amid a political crisis that crippled the state legislature.
His six-month appointment, however, stirred debates across the country, with critics faulting the legality of vesting full executive powers in an unelected appointee.
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