Rivers State is demanding the immediate return of N300 million paid to the Nigerian Bar Association for hosting rights to the 2025 Annual General Conference, following the association’s decision to relocate the event to Enugu. The demand came from the state’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retired), who described the NBA’s action as inconsistent and unfair.
Vice Admiral Ibas expressed disappointment over the association’s refusal to address the issue of a refund after it cancelled the original plan to hold the conference in Rivers. The NBA had earlier cited the declaration of a state of emergency and the breakdown of democratic institutions in the state as key reasons for the venue change.
While reacting to the development, Ibas stated that although the NBA has every right to choose where it wants to hold its conference, it must also take responsibility for the financial implications of that decision. He said it was surprising that despite the NBA’s strong stance on governance issues in Rivers, it has remained silent on reimbursing the government for the N300 million already paid for hosting rights.
He stressed that true integrity demands that the association should not hold onto funds received from a state it now chooses to distance itself from. He called on the NBA to match its principles with action by ensuring that Rivers State is refunded in full without further delay.
The dispute now casts a shadow over the upcoming conference scheduled for August, putting pressure on the NBA to respond and resolve the financial row.
