The Rivers State Government has threatened legal action against the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) if it fails to refund N300 million reportedly paid by the government for the hosting of the 2025 NBA conference in Port Harcourt.
The NBA had canceled all arrangements for the hosting of the conference in Port Harcourt citing the emergency rule in the state and the constitutional violations by the Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu to oversee the state.
In a statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, and AGCPC Chair Emeka Obegolu (SAN), the association said that while there had been widespread excitement about Port Harcourt being the host city, the appointment of a sole administrator—who is a retired military officer—has created a situation that no longer allows the Garden City to host the conference.
The association thereafter gave the hosting right to Enugu State.
However, apparently enraged by the stance of NBA, the state government in a statement on Tuesday evening signed by Hector Igbikiowubo,Senior Special Assistant, (SSA) media to the Sole Administrator argued that the N300 million the administration of Governor Sim Fubara paid to the NBA for the hosting of the conference in Port Harcourt should be refunded hence it was not a gift.as claimed by NBA.
“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.
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“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”, the statement insisted.
The statement said while the government reaffirms it’s willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, it will not accommodate exploitation of the people and the Rivers State Government.
