N200m Controversy: Ibas Accused of Withholding Council Funds

• Council CSO claims Ahoada-East LGA allocation was tampered with

• Viral video shows council administrator allegedly tortured into resigning

• Fallout deepens Fubara-Wike political rift despite fragile truce

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), has been accused of illegally deducting ₦200 million from the monthly allocations of Ahoada East Local Government Area, raising fresh concerns over governance and political accountability in the state.

The allegation surfaced as a viral video circulated showing the Ahoada East Council Sole Administrator, Mr. Goodluck Ihenacho, being assaulted by armed youths in his office and allegedly forced to sign a resignation letter.

In a voice note shared on the Rivers State Police Command’s WhatsApp platform, the Council’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr. Hector Ekeakita, accused the state-appointed administrator of financial manipulation, revealing discrepancies in monthly allocation declarations by the council.

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“In April, Mr. Iheanacho received ₦800 million as allocation but declared only ₦700 million. In May, he got ₦600 million, plus over ₦100 million from excess crude, but declared just ₦500 million,” the CSO alleged. “Ibas should come and tell the public if he indeed collected ₦200 million from the council’s funds.”

According to Ekeakita, the missing funds have left the council struggling, with only ₦41 million reportedly available to carry out public duties over two months. He accused Ihenacho of abandoning critical responsibilities, including sanitation and local security, which allegedly provoked dissatisfaction from residents and contributed to the backlash against him.

While denying involvement in the assault, Ekeakita insisted that the attack did not involve “hoodlums” but rather angry community youths demanding transparency from the local government leadership.

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“It is unacceptable and barbaric to assault anyone, but the public must know that these were local youths angry over council mismanagement,” he said.

He also alleged that the resignation was orchestrated because Ihenacho was “fraternising with members of the Simplified Family” loyal to suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and was about to employ a youth linked to Fubara’s camp.

The events mark another sharp escalation in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which has pitted loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike against supporters of the embattled Fubara.