General
SERAP Demands Accountability Over N302bn Rivers Funds Under Emergency Rule
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded transparency and accountability regarding the six-month administration of the Rivers State sole administrator, Mr Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The group has asked questions regarding an alleged spending of over N302 billion received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) during the period. Rivers State was under an emergency rule from March to September 2025.
In a Sunday statement published on its official website, the group disclosed that the Rivers State Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning told the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt how Mr Ibas allegedly spent over N302 billion received from the FAAC between March and August 2025.
The statement signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, disclosed that the allegation was contained in a lawsuit titled Freedom of Information, with suit number PHC/4153/CS/2025.
Mr Oludare further disclosed that the lawsuit was filed by SERAP on October 31, 2025, against the Accountant-General of Rivers State and Rivers State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, and is pending before Justice S.H. Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court.
In the counter-affidavit dated March 10, 2026 and filed in response to SERAP’s lawsuit, the Accountant-General and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning stated that “the FAAC allocations received by Rivers state between March and August 2025 were over N253 billion (N253,480,052,907.33)”
According to SERAP, Exhibit DT1, which is the bank statements, and Exhibit DT2, which is the capital pages of the Government House estimate, filed in support of the counter-affidavit and comprising 49 pages, provide some details of government expenditures exceeding N300 billion, including FAAC allocations and other funds.
The counter-affidavit, read in part, “Our records show that N28 billion was approved for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at the State House, but no expenditure was incurred in respect of the project. Therefore, no document evidencing such expenditure can be provided.”
“The Defendants/Respondents do not contest SERAP’s right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act and have no intention whatsoever of withholding the requested documents.”
“The Defendants/Respondents have now compiled and made available the requested information in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, and copies are herein attached as Exhibit DTI (bank statements) and Exhibit DT2 (capital pages of the Government House estimate).”
“By furnishing the documents requested, the Defendants/Respondents have substantially complied with SERAP’s demand.”
“While the Defendants/Respondents recognise the public interest in transparency and accountability, the delay in providing the requested information did not occasion any specific or proven injury to SERAP.”
According to the group, Rivers State received FAAC inflows of over N253.48 billion (N253,480,052,907.33) and other receipts totalling over N44.87 billion (N44,868,976,368.32) from March to August 2025, bringing the total funds received to approximately N298.35 billion (N298,349,029,275.65).”
“The two exhibits also show transfers to government entities, payments to individuals (NIP transfers), and repeated transfers to Government House during the period from March to August 2025. In total, over N302.35 billion was shown to have been spent during this period.”
“The exhibits reveal multiple payments to Government House ranging from N1.8 million to N4.27 billion, including transactions of N61.9 million, N122 million, N170 million, N389 million, N750 million, N850 million, and N900 million—with the N900 million payments occurring repeatedly. Notably, a single transfer of N4.27 billion was recorded in August.”
“Over N112.41 billion (N112,408,021,641.07) was reportedly spent on salaries, pensions, and overheads, while N163.44 billion (N163,441,654,922.70) was allocated to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).”
“Over N106 billion of the N163.44 billion allocated to MDAs was disbursed in August alone, showing a significant concentration of spending within a single month.”
“Additionally, over N26.01 billion (N26,011,189,540.73) was reportedly spent to service loans, while over N491.59 million (N491,592,418.57) was spent on bank charges, bringing these to approximately N26.50 billion (N26,502,781,959.30) during the same period.”
“Over N2.5 billion was released for the construction of Government House quarters, but only about N1.1 billion is reflected in the exhibits as actual spending. The exhibits show a revised allocation of N2.67 billion for office building repairs, while about N404 million was spent.”
“N350 million is stated to be allocated for canteen and kitchen equipment. It is unclear from the exhibits how much was released for the project. Over N463 million was shown to be spent on rehabilitation projects. A project initially budgeted at N800 million appeared to be increased to N1.56 billion.”
“The closing balance in the account as at August 2025 was N19,929,707,462.66.”
In the lawsuit, SERAP is seeking the determination of the following question, “Whether, having regard to the combined provisions of Sections 13, 15(5), 16(2), and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and Sections 1(1), 2(3)(d)(v), 2(4), and 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, SERAP is not entitled to access and obtain the information sought from the Defendants/Respondents.”
The lawsuit has been adjourned to May 19, 2026, for further hearing.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a probe into the alleged diversion, disappearance and misapplication of more than N6.79 billion in public funds within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The grave allegations are documented in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025.
SERAP said, “Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
In the letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
SERAP said: “The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to the group, “The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The letter, read in part: “The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Some of the others include: N499,875,500.00 for the construction of Police College Phase II, Bashar, Plateau State; N12,931,000.00 for the rehabilitation of Block B, Department of Logistics and Supply (Works) building, Garki; N111,635,864.64 for the construction of 12 one-bedroom transit camp units and rehabilitation of the administration block at the NPF Pre-retirement Skills Acquisition Centre, Kudana, Kaduna State; N4,011,627.89 inserted as taxes to inflate a contract; N1,938,299,452.00 for 14 ongoing projects that were abandoned; N5,050,000.00 in monetary exhibits released without proper authorisation; N112,026,424.00 for outstanding allowances paid to officers to cover 2020 liabilities; and N6,000,000.00 as annual payment to the Inspector General of Police’s Senior Special Assistant on Revenue and Tax Matters.
Others include N10,080,000.00 as cash advances for the provision of office equipment and accessories for the NPF Database Management Centre; N438,066,845.73 for the supply of bulletproof vests, ballistic helmets and procurement of a Styr Punch Vistar troop carrier; N18,000,000.00 for the training of women in cosmetology and provision of empowerment kits in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Ondo State; N258,989,999.75 for the procurement of 10 JAC patrol vehicles for NPF outpost stations in Kano State; N30,853,250.00 as security allowances for personnel attached to the Ministry of Police Affairs; N681,406,593.18 for the settlement of insurance claims through insurance brokers; N1,628,108,434.18 for outstanding insurance policy liabilities for 2020/2021; N57,484,515.30 for the procurement of video cameras, customised umbrellas, gift bags and customised towels for the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Office; N7,760,409.56 in withholding tax and value added tax that was not deducted from contracts awarded.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Onamusi Onadeko, has been sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of N50,000.
The former lawmaker, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, was sentenced by Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
He was found guilty on count 11 and convicted for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted on counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Mr Onadeko’s journey to the court started in 2017, when he was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.
The politician, according to a statement from the ICPC, was accused of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015 and 2019.
The commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the convict doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director, respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
ICPC also accused Mr Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths, where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated June 30, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on May 5, 2017, that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited.
This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding N100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
However, Mr Onadeko, through his counsel, Mr Wahab Olatoyebi, argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.
But this argument was rejected by Justice Oji, who stressed that based on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the abduction of students and teachers from Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The governor formally inaugurated the commission at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said that although the successful rescue of the victims brought relief to the state, it did not provide complete closure.
He explained that the decision to set up an independent commission was not intended to undermine the efforts of security agencies but to ensure that every question surrounding the incident is thoroughly addressed and lessons are learnt to prevent a recurrence.
He charged members of the commission to conduct a thorough, impartial, and evidence-based investigation, assuring them of the state government’s full support. He also called on individuals and relevant institutions to cooperate fully with the panel.
Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Professor Mojeed Owoade, pledged that members would carry out the assignment with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. He added that the panel would seek an extension if necessary to complete its work.
Governor Makinde gave the commission four weeks to submit its report.
Earlier this month, the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, eight of the kidnappers had been arrested, but the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 23 sentenced three suspects in the abduction to life imprisonment.
According to the court, the sentencing of Mr Abdulrazak Umar, known under the alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Mr Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Mr Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, will start from the date of their arrest.
Before their sentencing by Justice Salim Ibrahim, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to sentence them on liberal terms, adding that they were first-time offenders and had pleaded guilty.
