NBA had disclosed that it moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu due to the emergency rule in Rivers State.
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, retd, has demanded the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA refund the N300 million given to it by suspended Governor Sim Fubara’s administration.
According to Ibas, the money was given to NBA to host it’s Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt but it was later relocated to Enugu State.
NBA had disclosed that it moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu due to the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Disclosing this, NBA’s leadership, Afam Osigwe, said the actions of Ibas undermines democratic institutions and processes, adding that it flouts the rule of law with impunity, which NBA abhors.
Osigwe said NBA members agreed that the body could not in good conscience, proceed with the conference in a state governed unconstitutionally by a sole administrator.
Reacting, Ibas faulted NBA’s reason, stressing that it was misleading and uncharitable.
A statement by Ibas reads partly: “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.”
