The Rivers State Government has insisted that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) must refund the ₦300 million hosting rights paid for its Annual General Conference.
Earlier, the NBA, through Emeka Obegolu (SAN), Chairman of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee replied to the state government that the controversial N300m was donated by the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as a gift, not a loan.
Rivers State Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas had asked the association for a refund since it relocated its conference from Rivers to Enugu State.
Following the association’s failure to comply, the government through Hector Igbikiowubo, SSA Media, Rivers State Government, rejected the claim that the N300m was a gift from Fubara.
The government insisted that it signed an agreement with the NBA to host the annual conference believing it will attract significant economic benefits to the state.
The statement warned that the government would take legal steps against the association if it fails to refund the money of the state in its possession.
It reads, “The Rivers State Government, however, outrightly rejects the NBA’s recent allegation that the ₦300 million payment made by the state was a “gift”, unrelated to hosting rights for the NBA AGC 2025. For clarity, the Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of ₦300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC.
“The Rivers State Government entered into this arrangement with the NBA in good faith, with the understanding that hosting the conference in the state would attract significant economic benefits to our state, positively and directly impact the businesses of our people. The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the ₦300 million paid for the purpose of hosting the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust.
“Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the ₦300 million to the Rivers State Government, will compel the implementation of all legal means to recover the property of the good people of Rivers State.”
Additionally, Rivers government reaffirmed its willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but maintained that it will not accommodate the exploitation of its people and the government.
