Rivers administrator threatens lawsuit to recover N300m from NBA

The Rivers State Government has threatened legal action against the Nigerian Bar Association to recover the sum of N300m, following the relocation of the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.

According to the Rivers Government, the money was not a donation, but was given with a clear understanding that Port Harcourt would host the 2025 conference.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by Hector Igbikiowubo, media aide to the State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.).

The state government categorically rejected the NBA’s claim that the N300m payment was merely a “gift” and unrelated to hosting rights.

The statement clarified that the funds were transferred with the mutual understanding that the state would serve as the host city for the NBA’s premier annual event.

“For clarity, the Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of N300m to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC.

 “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, positively impacting local businesses and livelihoods,” the statement said.

The government condemned the NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the conference and described it as a breach of trust.

It said that if the association failed to refund the N300m immediately, the state would explore legal avenues to recover the funds, which it described as “the property of the good people of Rivers State.”

“We reaffirm our willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but we will not accommodate exploitation of our people and the Rivers State Government,” the statement added.

On Monday, the NBA had refuted the Sole Administrator’s claims, maintaining that the N300m was a goodwill donation and not tied to any formal hosting agreement.

The Chairman of the 2025 AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said the NBA was within its rights to relocate the event and was under no obligation to refund the money.

The NBA cited recent political developments in Rivers State as its reason for relocating the conference.

These include the emergency rule imposed by the Federal Government, the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and members of the state House of Assembly for six months.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), criticised the governance situation in Rivers, describing it as unconstitutional and likening it to military rule under the state’s sole administrator.

“While the administrator wears civilian clothes, he governs as though the state is under military rule,” Osigwe said, stressing that such a climate undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law.

In response, the Sole Administrator accused the NBA of politicising the situation in Rivers and failing to acknowledge the constitutional process that led to the emergency declaration.

Ibas said it was hypocritical for the NBA to relocate the AGC without refunding the N300m it received.

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,” Ibas said.