The Rivers State Government has demanded the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the hosting rights of lawyers’ 2025 annual conference by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In response, the NBA Planning Committee has insisted that the N300 million was a gift, and not tied to hosting rights and it would be making no refund.
But the state government, under the leadership of the Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, said if the NBA is truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the sum.
Fireworka between the two sparked from the NBA suddenly shifting its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Enugu.
The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a Sole Administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation,” the NBA had said.
The decision came weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a protracted political crisis.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and all house of assembly members for six months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for Rivers.
In a statement on Monday, the government said the NBA’s position “overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers state”.
The statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, senior special assistant on media to the Rivers state government, said the declaration of the emergency rule in the state was a “necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes”.
“Contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the sole administrator has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable,” the statement reads.
“Upholding the constitutional rights of all residents, including freedom of movement, speech, and association. Respecting judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court, which have guided the administration’s actions.
“The NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.
“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.”
In August 2024, Afam Osigwe, NBA president, announced that the 2025 AGC
NBA’S FULL RESPONSE VIA EMEKA OBEGOLU, SAN, CHAIR 2025 NBA AGC PLANNING COMMITTEE
The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers state to the effect that Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
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 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.
We are committed to delivering a world class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.
