The Rivers State Government has asked the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA to refund to it the N300 million it received to host its 2025 annual general conference in Port Harcourt.
It says the NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the event to Enugu is not only against the mutual understanding that had been reached but also unethical and amounts to a breach of trust.
In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, the Rivers State Government rejected NBA’s recent claim that the N30 million payment made by the state was a “gift”, unrelated to hosting rights for the 2025 annual general conference.
The statement further claims that Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of N300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the association’s annual general conference.
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It adds that the Rivers State Government entered into the arrangement with the NBA in good faith and with the understanding that hosting the conference in the state would attract significant economic benefits that would positively and directly impact the businesses of the people.
With the NBA deciding to relocate the event to Enugu State, the Rivers State Government wants the association to immediately refund the N300 million it received.
The government warns that it will be compelled to take legal action should the NBA fail to refund the N300 million.
The Rivers State Government also used the opportunity to reaffirm its willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but stressed that it will not accommodate a situation where the people and the government will be taken advantage of.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
