posted 14th April 2025
NBA Rejects Refund Demand, Claims N300m from Rivers State Was a Gift
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly rebuffed a demand from Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), to refund N300 million paid by the state for hosting the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC). The NBA insists the funds, provided under the administration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, were a gift and not tied to any hosting rights.
The controversy erupted after the NBA announced last week that it would relocate its 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu, citing concerns over the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The association argued that holding the conference in a state under emergency rule, governed by a sole administrator, would conflict with its commitment to constitutional principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Vice Admiral Ibas challenged the NBA’s decision, labelling its reasoning “misleading and uncharitable.” He demanded the return of the N300 million, asserting that the funds were paid for hosting rights and should be refunded since the event was moved. “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,” Ibas said through his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo.
However, the NBA, in a swift response, dismissed Ibas’ claims. Emeka Obegolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and chairman of the AGC planning committee, clarified that the decision to host the conference in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024 without any bidding process or payment for hosting rights. “The N300 million was a gift from the Rivers State government under Governor Fubara to support the conference,” Obegolu stated. “It is standard practice for the NBA to seek financial support for its events, and such contributions are unconditional.”
Legal minds argue that the association’s decision to move the event reflects its commitment to upholding democratic values in the face of what it calls “constitutional violations” in Rivers State.
The state of emergency, declared in March 2025, followed a protracted political feud between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The crisis led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, with Ibas appointed to oversee the state’s affairs.
As the dispute unfolds, the NBA has called for constructive dialogue to address the governance challenges in Rivers State, while Ibas has urged the association to avoid actions that could heighten tensions. For now, the N300 million remains with the NBA, and no further steps toward resolution have been announced.
