*It Was An ‘Unconditional Gift,’ Says Layers’ Body
THE Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has charged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the N300million it received from the state government as hosting rights for its Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, which has now been relocated to Enugu, the Enugu State capital.
Ibas described as misleading and uncharitable, the reason adduced by the Asociation for its decision.
The Sole Administrator, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, said while the NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, it had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
According to the statement: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association, despite its “principled position,” didn’t address the refund of the N300million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of 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 attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the NBA’s announcement, dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
“We find the reasons cited for this decision, particularly the insinuation that the Sole Administrator’s actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law, to be misleading, uncharitable and unbecoming of an association that prides itself on upholding justice and fairness.
“The NBA’s statement overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State. The declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.”
The statement noted that President Bola Tinubu, in exercising his constitutional authority, acted in the best interest of the state to restore stability, adding: “The Sole Administrator’s mandate is clear: To oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance in line with the Constitution.
“To suggest that this intervention ‘flouts the rule of law’ is not only incorrect, but also ignores the Supreme Court’s rulings that have validated key decisions made during this period.
“In the event the NBA is not aware, may we refer the association to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024 (Rivers State House of Assembly & Others vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & Nine Others), where the apex court unequivocally ruled that any local government election conducted in violation of the Electoral Act is “unconstitutional, null, and void.”
It noted that contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the Sole Administrator has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to the NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.
While appealing for constructive engagement, the statement said: “Rivers State is passing through a challenging, but necessary phase in its democratic journey.
“Rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, we expect the NBA, as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy, to engage constructively, offering solutions, instead of amplifying divisive narratives.
“The Sole Administrator remains focused on his mandate to stabilise the state and facilitate a smooth return to full constitutional governance.
“We urge the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this process in the interest of peace and progress.”
However, in a swift response, the NBA clarified that the ₦300m it received from the Rivers State Government was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for its Annual General Conference or payment to facilitate the conference.
The Association, in a statement by the Chairman of the 2025 NBA Conference Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), insisted that the decision to host the conference in Port Harcourt was taken in August last year and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
The statement added that because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the NBA Conference, the committee usually approaches organisations, agencies and state governments for support, which are unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
He stressed that even with such gifts, the host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the conference must be held in a chosen city.
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organisations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.
“Such financial support is in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC,” he reiterated.
