Files in Hand, Questions in Tow: Ibas Returns to Villa After Six-Month Rule
A former sole administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday evening.
Ibas, who arrived around 5:50 p.m. dressed in brown native attire and carrying files, was later joined by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede.
His visit comes amid mounting calls for him to account for his six-month administration of Rivers State, which ended on September 17 following the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the state House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, at its first sitting after resumption, pledged to investigate state expenditure during Ibas’s tenure as sole administrator.
Senior lawyer Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, also demanded a full report of Ibas’s activities during the emergency rule, stressing Rivers’ status as one of Nigeria’s richest states.
Similarly, Niger Delta activist Ann-Kio Briggs questioned the terms of agreement that led to Fubara’s reinstatement, warning that lack of transparency could undermine his credibility.
Jake Epelle, CEO of TAF Africa, also urged Ibas to account for funds expended during his tenure.
