Human Rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to investigate Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), former Sole Administrator of Rivers State, over alleged mismanagement of more than ₦283 billion during his six-month stewardship.
In the petition dated September 23, 2025, the legal practitioner accused the retired naval chief of presiding over vast allocations to the state with little or no visible development to show for it.
Citing figures from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the petition revealed that Rivers State under Ibas received ₦36.6 billion as previously withheld local government allocations for January and February 2025, and another ₦246.7 billion as state and local government allocations between March and June 2025.“Despite these massive inflows, there is little to no evidence of projects or tangible development carried out by his administration.
Aside from the cosmetic renovation and painting of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, the people of Rivers State have seen no tangible projects to justify the expenditure of such colossal sums,” the petition stated.
The petitioner also faulted the Ibas administration for failing to publish the mandatory second-quarter budget performance reports for 2025, describing the omission as “equally troubling.”It further expressed concern over comments credited to Ibas through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubu, in which the former Sole Administrator reportedly dismissed the oversight powers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, insisting he was only answerable to the President and the National Assembly.
The petitioners urged the ICPC to:Probe the financial expenditure of Vice Admiral Ibas during his tenure.Ascertain how the ₦283.3 billion was applied.Investigate possible misappropriation, diversion, or abuse of office.
Deji Adeyanju & Partners said the petition was filed in the public interest and in furtherance of its mission to promote accountability and combat corruption in governance.The ICPC is yet to officially respond to the petition as of press time.
