The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has clarified that the N300 million it received from the Rivers State government was a goodwill gift, not payment for hosting rights to its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).
The clarification came in a statement issued on Monday, April 14, by Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC Planning Committee, following controversy over the NBA’s decision to relocate the conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
Rivers State, currently led by Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, had demanded a refund, claiming the funds were paid in exchange for hosting rights. The demand followed the NBA’s announcement that the AGC would be moved in response to what it described as constitutional violations and the imposition of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu in March.
In its response, the NBA rejected the suggestion that any financial arrangement existed regarding host city selection.
“The decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024 and was not the result of any bidding or payment of hosting rights,” the statement said.
The NBA emphasized that host cities are not granted exclusive rights and that support from state governments and organizations is commonly sought to manage the high cost of organizing the conference.
“Such support is unconditional and not tied to any hosting rights,” the NBA added.
The association further noted that contributions from governments and institutions are often made under corporate social responsibility (CSR) frameworks.
“The N300 million from Rivers State was received as a gift—no strings attached,” the statement concluded.
