The Rivers State government has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to return the ₦300 million earlier paid for hosting rights after the association moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
The demand was made public on Monday by the state’s sole administrator, Ibokette Ibas, who currently oversees the affairs of the state following a state of emergency.
The NBA had announced on Friday that it was changing the venue of the conference due to what it described as constitutional breaches in the state.
It raised concerns about the political climate in Rivers, especially after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly under the emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The association said the current leadership in the state disregards court rulings and legal processes.
Reacting to the development, the Rivers State government argued that the NBA’s decision was unfair and not in line with the legal reality on ground.
According to a statement from the state’s media office, the emergency declaration was made to address a political crisis and restore order.
The administration defended its actions as lawful and necessary to bring stability.
The state said the NBA’s position does not reflect the facts and accused the association of ignoring the lawful basis of the sole administrator’s role.
The government said that since the NBA no longer plans to hold its conference in Rivers, it should return the ₦300 million it had received, stressing that it would be wrong for the NBA to keep the funds after pulling out of the agreement.
While acknowledging the NBA’s right to choose a new venue, the government maintained that justice requires a full refund, especially since the association has openly criticized the same administration that paid for the event.
