Rivers Government Demands N300m Refund From NBA Over Relocated Conference

The Rivers State Government has demanded a refund of N300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the association’s decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.

In a statement issued on Monday by Hector Igbikiowubo, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the state’s Sole Administrator, the government expressed deep disappointment over the NBA’s decision, describing the reasons cited for the venue change as “misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming.”

While acknowledging the NBA’s right to choose its preferred location for the conference, the state government criticized the association’s claim that the current administration under a sole administrator is undermining democracy and the rule of law.

“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers was a necessary and constitutional response to a breakdown of public order and democratic governance,” the statement read.

It added that the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), remains committed to restoring democratic institutions, upholding constitutional freedoms, and respecting judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court.

The government further called on the NBA to match its “principled stance” with action by refunding the N300 million that had been paid by the state as part of the hosting rights for 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,” the statement said.

The relocation of the NBA conference comes amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State following the March 18 declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu, which led to the suspension of elected officials and the appointment of a sole administrator to manage the state’s affairs.