*N300m was a gift, says NBA
The Rivers State Government has demanded a refund of N300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, the state government criticized the NBA’s reasons for moving the event, despite having received payment for hosting rights.
“While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its ‘principled position’— failed to address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference,” the statement read.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
The statement insisted that the NBA’ reasons for the relocation of the event particularly the insinuation that the Sole Administrator’s actions had undermined democracy and the rule of law was misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of an association that prided itself on upholding justice and fairness.
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It said the NBA’s statement overlooked the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers explaining that . The declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.
The statement said President Bola Tinubu, in exercising his constitutional authority, acted in the best interest of the state to restore stability.
“The Sole Administrator’s mandate is clear: to oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance in line with the Constitution. To suggest that this intervention ‘flouts the rule of law’ is not only incorrect but ignores the Supreme Court’s rulings that have validated key decisions made during this period”.
It said in the event the NBA was not aware, the association should consult the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024 (Rivers State House of Assembly & Others vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & Nine Others), where the apex court unequivocally ruled that any local government election conducted in violation of the Electoral Act is unconstitutional, null, and void”.
The statement noted that contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the Sole Administrator had consistently reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable and upholding the constitutional rights of all residents, including freedom of movement, speech, and association.
It said the sole administration had consistently respected judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court, which had guided the administration’s actions.
The statement said: “The NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.
“Rivers State is passing through a challenging but necessary phase in its democratic journey. Rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, we expect the NBA—as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy—to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives.
“The Sole Administrator remains focused on his mandate to stabilize the state and facilitate a smooth return to full constitutional governance. We urge the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this process in the interest of peace and progress.”
NBA replies Rivers government: ‘N300m was a gift’
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the money received from Rivers state government for the 2025 annual general conference (AGC) was a “gift”.
A statement issued on Monday by Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC planning committee, said the legal body did not sell the hosting rights for the conference.
Earlier, the Rivers government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, asked the NBA to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the “hosting rights” of the conference by the state.
The government said if the NBA was truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the money.
The decision of the state government came after the NBA moved the AGC from Port Harcourt in Rivers state to Enugu.
The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Responding to the comment of the Rivers government, the NBA said there was no bidding process or payment before the announcement of Rivers as the host of the conference.
The NBA explained that due to the huge cost of organising the conference, the legal body approaches individuals and state governments for “unconditional” support.
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights,” the statement reads.
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.
“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”
