NBA Rejects Rivers’ N300m Refund Request, Says Fund Was a Gift from Fubara

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dismissed the demand by the Rivers State Government for a refund of N300 million allegedly paid for hosting rights of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), insisting the money was a “gift” from the former governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Chairman of the NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, said there was no agreement or transaction involving the sale of hosting rights to Rivers State. He clarified that the decision to host the conference in Port Harcourt was made as far back as August 2024 and was not influenced by any financial commitment from the state government.

This response follows an earlier statement by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, who demanded a refund of the N300 million, claiming the funds were paid for the “hosting rights” of the NBA’s annual event. The demand was conveyed through Hector Igbikiowubo, the senior special assistant on media to the Sole Administrator, who expressed displeasure over the NBA’s recent decision to relocate the event from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.

The Rivers State Government had accused the NBA of offering misleading justifications for its change of venue and described the move as “uncharitable” and “unbecoming.”

But the NBA maintained its stance, explaining that its conferences are not awarded based on payment or bidding processes. Rather, the association often solicits voluntary support from governments and organizations due to the high cost of hosting such a large-scale event.

“The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC,” the committee emphasized in its statement.

The NBA also defended its choice to move the conference to Enugu, citing the recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers as a significant disruption to democratic governance and public order.