The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday admitted collecting N300 million from the Rivers State Government while planning its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) initially billed for Port Harcourt.
This followed the demand by Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas that the money, approved by suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara, be refunded.
However, the NBA said the cash was “an unconditional gift”, not payment to facilitate the conference.
The government in a statement by Hector Igbikiowubo, the media aide to Vice Admiral Ibas faulted the reasons given by the NBA for the relocation of its conference after receiving the money.
The statement reads: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association – despite its ‘principled position’ – didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“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.
“President Bola Ahmed 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.
“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 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 stabilise 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.”
The NBA had moved its forthcoming AGC to Enugu following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, a development that occasioned the refund demand by the Rivers government.
In a statement by its AGC 2025 Planning Committee Chair Emeka Obegolu (SAN), the NBA said: “We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested 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 support is 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.”
