NBA Explains Purpose Of ₦300m From Rivers

The NBA has clarified that the ₦300 million given by Rivers State under Administrator Ibas has been a voluntary gift, not a payment for hosting rights for the 2025 AGC.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has denied claims made by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd), that the state government paid ₦300 million to secure the hosting rights for the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).

The event, which was initially planned for Port Harcourt, has now been moved to Enugu State.

In a statement released on Monday, the NBA made it clear that the ₦300 million from Rivers State was not a payment for hosting rights, but rather a voluntary financial gift. The association said there was no agreement tying the money to any right to host the event.

The chairman of the NBA Conference Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), responded to the claims, explaining that it is common practice for the NBA to ask for financial help from various bodies to support its conferences.

“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 the Rivers State government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025,” the statement said.

“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights,” it continued.

“The host city has no hosting rights, and there is no representation by the NBA that the conference must be held in a chosen city,” the committee added.

According to the NBA, it is normal for the planning committee to reach out to state governments and agencies for support because of the high cost involved in organizing the conference. However, such support is always unconditional.

“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations and agencies of government and state governments for support, and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever,” the statement explained.

It also added, “Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organisations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.”

The committee said these kinds of contributions are usually treated as gifts, sponsorships, or partnerships.

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

“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,” the NBA concluded.

This development follows the NBA’s decision to move the 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu. The association explained that the change in venue was due to actions in Rivers State that it described as undemocratic, including the appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator, which it considers unlawful.

The NBA criticized Ibas for “flouting the rule of law with impunity” and said that going ahead with the conference in Rivers State would look like an endorsement of actions that go against the constitution and legal principles.

In conclusion, the NBA emphasized that the decision to relocate the event was based on its strong commitment to upholding the rule of law.
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