The Rivers state government has insisted that the N300
million paid to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was for the hosting rights
of the 2025 annual general conference (AGC).
The state government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator,
rejected the NBA’s description of the payment as a “gift”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Hector Igbikiowubo, the
senior special assistant on media to the Rivers sole administrator, the
statement government threatened legal action against the association if the
N300 million is not refunded.
BACKGROUND
Last Friday, the NBA moved its 2025 annual general
conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers, to Enugu.
The association premised its decision on “constitutional
violations” in Rivers following the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.
President Bola Tinubu on March 18 declared a state of
emergency in Rivers, citing a protracted political crisis in the state.
The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of
Rivers; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and all house of assembly members for six
months.
Tinubu also appointed Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the
sole administrator for Rivers.
Responding to the NBA’s decision, the state government asked
the association to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the hosting rights
of the 2025 conference.
The state government said if the NBA is truly anchored on
principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the amount.
Countering the state government’s comment, the NBA said the
money it received was a “gift” and not the payment for conference’s hosting
rights.
The legal association said it did not sell the hosting
rights for the conference.
‘RELOCATING CONFERENCE TO ENUGU UNETHICAL’
The Rivers government said the decision of the NBA to
relocate its conference to Enugu state is “unethical and amounts to a breach of
trust”.
The government said an agreement was entered with NBA that
the state would host the conference to “attract significant economic benefits”.
“The Rivers State Government entered into this arrangement
with the NBA in good faith, with the understanding that hosting the conference
in the state would attract significant economic benefits to our state,
positively and directly impact the businesses of our people,” the statement
reads.
“The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025
against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the N300
million paid for the purpose of hosting the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is
unethical and amounts to a breach of trust.
“Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the N300 million
to the Rivers State Government, will compel the implementation of all legal
means to recover the property of the good people of Rivers State.”
The state government said it is willing to engage with
professional bodies, including the NBA, but it will not “accommodate
exploitation of our people”.
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