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.
