National leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that it would not refund the N300 million given to it by the Rivers State government as support for its 2025 Annual General Conference.
Chairman of the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference Planning Committee (NAGCPC), Emeka Obegolu, in a statement on Monday, April 14, said the fund from the state to the association was a gift.
Stating that at no point did the NBA sell hosting rights to the state government, Obegolu said 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.
The statement by the association followed its withdrawal of the conference venue from Rivers State over the declaration of a State of Emergency by President Bola Tinubu.
In his reaction to the withdrawal of Rivers as the venue to host the NBA annual conference, the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) called for a refund of the money.
But, in the statement, Obegolu said the host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the annual conference must be held in a chosen city.
He said: “Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Other conferences by the NBA have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with the NBA.
“Such financial aid from organisations – either government or private – is sent to the association in the form of gifts, partnerships and sponsorship.
“The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.
“We are committed to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.”