The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has made it clear that it will not be refunding the ₦300 million contributed by former Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for the hosting of its 2025 Annual General Conference in the state.
Naturenex report that this decision comes after the state’s current Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), formally asked the NBA to return the funds following the association’s decision to move the conference elsewhere.
The NBA had earlier withdrawn its 2025 Annual General Conference from Rivers State in protest against President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Governor Fubara and the subsequent appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator.
Following the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ilorin, a statement was issued explaining that Fubara’s financial support was never meant to secure the hosting rights for the event, which has now been relocated.
The NBA’s President, Afam Osigwe, stated that the association would not endorse what it views as an unconstitutional act by proceeding to hold its event in a state being governed by a Sole Administrator. He emphasized, “The National Executive Committee’s consultation revealed that the majority of lawyers/colleagues strongly desired that the NBA relocate the Conference from Rivers State to another venue.”
He added, “The majority opinion was that the Conference should not be held in a state governed by a Sole Administrator.”
The NBA further insisted, “Because the NBA does not recognise the unconstitutional suspension of a democratically elected government and the appointment of a Sole Administrator, the NBA cannot properly request venue and other logistical support from the Administrator,” according to the statement.
Citing a report from Daily Independent, it was noted that there was no valid reason for returning the ₦300 million support funds, as the donation wasn’t tied to the continuation of the conference in Port Harcourt.
The report also read, “The decision to hold the 2025 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt is deemed unjustifiable due to ongoing protests and demands by lawyers. We cannot demand a refund of ₦300 Million paid by the Rivers State Government for ‘Conference Hosting Rights for the 2025 Annual General Conference’ due to our presence in the city and potential collaboration. This also lends credence to the unconstitutional proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator to oversee the matter.”
In conclusion, the NBA affirmed, “We note that the NBA has taken a principled and legally sound position that appointing an Administrator for Rivers State is unconstitutional. Given this, we cannot in good conscience hold this year’s conference in Rivers State. As a result, we announced that the conference has been relocated to Enugu, a coal city.”
