Rivers State Demands Refund of N300m from NBA Over Relocated Conference

Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund N300 million paid by the state government for hosting rights to the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC). The demand follows the NBA’s decision to relocate the conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State, a move the association attributed to concerns over unconstitutional governance in Rivers State.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, April 14, 2025, Ibas described the NBA’s justification for the relocation as “misleading and uncharitable.” He argued that the association’s decision lacked transparency and failed to acknowledge the significant financial commitment made by Rivers State to secure the hosting rights.

The statement read in part: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its ‘principled position’—didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference. 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 emphasized that the Rivers State Government had fulfilled its obligations in good faith, expecting the NBA to honor its commitment to hold the conference in Port Harcourt. He questioned the association’s silence on the financial implications of its decision, suggesting that retaining the funds undermines the NBA’s claim to uphold ethical standards.

The NBA’s decision to move the conference has sparked controversy, with some stakeholders in Rivers State accusing the association of bias and inconsistency. The AGC, a flagship event for Nigeria’s legal community, attracts thousands of lawyers, jurists, and policymakers annually, making its hosting rights a prestigious and economically significant opportunity for any state.

Ibas further noted that the Rivers State Government remains open to dialogue with the NBA to resolve the matter amicably. However, he stressed that the refund of the N300 million is non-negotiable, as the state cannot allow public funds to be held without justification.

As of the time of this report, the NBA has yet to respond publicly to Ibas’s demand. The association’s leadership had earlier cited concerns over the political situation in Rivers State, particularly allegations of unconstitutional governance, as the basis for relocating the conference. The NBA maintained that holding the event in Port Harcourt could compromise its commitment to the rule of law.

The dispute has raised broader questions about the NBA’s decision-making process and its relationship with state governments. Observers are watching closely to see whether the association will comply with Rivers State’s demand or risk further escalation of the controversy.

For now, Rivers State remains firm in its call for accountability, with Ibas reiterating that the NBA must act with the same integrity it professes. The resolution of this matter could set a precedent for how professional bodies handle financial agreements with public institutions in Nigeria.