The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly rebutted claims by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, that the state paid N300 million to secure the rights to host the association’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), Chairman of the 2025 AGC Planning Committee, clarified that the funds from the Rivers State Government were a goodwill donation — not a transactional fee for conference hosting rights.
“The N300 million was an unconditional gift — not a payment for hosting rights. The NBA does not sell or auction the right to host its conferences,” Obegolu stated.
This clarification comes in the wake of a controversial demand by the Rivers State Government for a refund of the said amount. The call for repayment followed the NBA’s decision to relocate its 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu, citing alleged constitutional violations and concerns over democratic governance in Rivers State following the imposition of a caretaker administration by President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting through a statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Administrator Ibas accused the NBA of playing politics, describing the relocation as a deliberate move to discredit his administration. He insisted the state’s actions were legally grounded and guided by Supreme Court pronouncements.
“Despite the NBA’s so-called principled stance, they failed to address the issue of refunding the N300 million already paid for hosting rights. If they truly stand on integrity, they must return the funds,” Igbikiowubo fired.
But Obegolu dismantled the premise of this argument, stressing that the NBA does not engage in selling conference rights to the highest bidder. He revealed that the decision to host the AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024, and that the city was not selected through a bidding process, nor was there any financial obligation tied to the decision.
“The NBA’s conference locations are chosen based on logistics, capacity, and strategic relevance — not on payments or political lobbying,” Obegolu emphasized. “Support from states or organisations is voluntary, and typically framed as sponsorships, partnerships, or gifts — never as a condition for hosting.”
He cited precedents from past conferences supported by various state governments, ministries, departments, agencies, and corporate entities under their corporate social responsibility initiatives. “These contributions have always been unconditional. Rivers State’s support falls squarely within that tradition,” he said.
The NBA maintained that its decision to relocate the conference was driven by its commitment to upholding democratic norms and protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
“The NBA cannot, in good conscience, hold its flagship event in a state where constitutional order is under siege. Our association is bigger than politics, and our principles are non-negotiable,” the statement read.
Obegolu concluded by reaffirming the NBA’s dedication to delivering a world-class AGC in Enugu, urging stakeholders not to be distracted by what he described as an “unnecessary and misleading controversy.”
“Our focus remains steadfast: to organise a globally competitive conference that reflects the values of the legal profession. We won’t be drawn into theatrics that distort facts or undermine our objectives,” he declared.
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