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Rivers Govt Reveals ₦302 Billion Spent During Ibas’s Tenure.

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The Rivers State Government has revealed that over ₦302 billion was spent during the period Ibok-Ete Ibas served as the state’s sole administrator.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The disclosure was made by the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning before the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP). The case, PHC/4153/CS/2025, is before Justice S.H. Aprioku.

According to a counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026, the state received over ₦253.48 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) between March and August 2025. Including other revenues, total funds amounted to roughly ₦298.35 billion. Supporting documents, including bank statements and capital expenditure records, were submitted as Exhibits DTI and DT2, spanning 49 pages.

The affidavit revealed that although ₦28 billion had been approved for the installation of CCTV cameras at Government House, no funds were spent on the project. “Our records show that ₦28 billion was approved for the installation of CCTV at the State House, but no expenditure was incurred,” it stated.

The government also affirmed it did not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act, noting that all requested documents had been compiled and provided.

SERAP is currently reviewing the documents, with Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare confirming that the records detail spending of over ₦302 billion during the period. According to the records:

  • ₦112.41 billion was spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads.
  • ₦163.44 billion went to ministries, departments, and agencies, with more than ₦106 billion disbursed in August 2025 alone.
  • ₦26.01 billion serviced loans, while ₦491.59 million covered bank charges.
  • Over ₦2.5 billion was released for Government House quarters, though about ₦1.1 billion was spent.
  • ₦2.67 billion was allocated for office building repairs, with ₦404 million spent.
  • ₦350 million went to canteen and kitchen equipment, and over ₦463 million to rehabilitation projects.
  • One project initially budgeted at ₦800 million was later increased to ₦1.56 billion.

The records also showed a closing account balance of ₦19.93 billion as of August 2025.

SERAP filed the suit on October 31, 2025, seeking a court determination on its right to the information under the Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act. Justice Aprioku adjourned the case to May 19, 2026.

The emergency administration began on March 18, 2025, after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all state assembly members for six months. Retired naval chief Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed sole administrator.

The emergency rule ended on September 17, 2025, with Governor Fubara directed to resume office the following day. After the state assembly reconvened, lawmakers sought to investigate financial management during Ibas’ tenure, but Ibas rejected the resolution.

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Insecurity Will Soon Be Defeated, Akpabio Assures Nigerians

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured citizens that the federal government will soon overcome the nation’s security challenges through a renewed, proactive strategy by security forces.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking in support of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Akpabio emphasized that safety is vital for economic growth, noting that no local business or foreign investor can thrive in an atmosphere of chaos. He highlighted that security agencies have transitioned from a reactive stance to taking the fight directly to the enclaves of criminals, bandits, and insurgents.

Key highlights from his address include:

  • Collective Responsibility: Akpabio stressed that military hardware alone cannot end criminality, urging citizens to partner with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence.

  • Economic and Banking Resilience: He declared that Nigeria’s banking sector has shifted from survival to absolute dominance, becoming one of the safest and most technologically advanced in Africa.

  • Reforms Yielding Results: He credited ongoing bank recapitalisation and financial reforms for ending the era where banks could suddenly collapse and cause depositors to lose their savings.

Ultimately, the Senate President maintained that a combination of proactive security operations, economic reforms, and civic cooperation will drive Nigeria’s path toward lasting recovery and national development.

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‘So Many In A Cell – Gov Bago Breaks Silence On Death Of 37 Miners In NSCDC Custody

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Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has addressed the tragic deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Severe Overcrowding: Governor Bago confirmed that NSCDC holding facilities were severely overcrowded, stating that “so many [were] in a cell” designed for a much smaller capacity.

  • Potential Causes Under Investigation: While highlighting the dangerous overcrowding, the governor also pointed to possible poisoning as a contributing factor, citing the victims’ foam-filled mouths and the presence of chemical substances at the arrest site.

  • Accountability and Autopsies: The state government has suspended the NSCDC Commandant and his team. Investigations, including autopsies and toxicology reports, are being conducted by multiple agencies, including the police and DSS.

  • Call for Calm: Governor Bago ordered the closure of the mining site in question and appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid unrest as the investigation proceeds.

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“POLITICAL BLOODSHED: Notorious Gunmen Assassinate Popular Enugu Politician In Midnight Ambush!”

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Prince Ikechukwu Oloto, a well-known politician in Enugu State also known as Okanga Moo, has been brutally murdered by unknown attackers in Nsukka Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • The Attack: Oloto was reportedly ambushed and killed on Thursday evening inside his residence located in the Odenigbo area of Nsukka.

  • Confirmation: Social media influencer Sen. Chijinkem Ugwuanyi confirmed the tragic incident on Facebook, stating that the politician was brutally attacked and cut into pieces.

  • Police Status: At the time of reporting, the exact circumstances surrounding the assassination remain unclear, and the Enugu State Police Command has yet to release an official statement.

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