Rivers rejects NBA’s claim over ₦300m payment, demands refund
The Rivers State Government has strongly refuted claims by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the ₦300 million it received from the state was a mere “gift” and unrelated to the hosting rights of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), which was recently relocated from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
In a statement issued on Monday by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the state government, Rivers authorities expressed disappointment over the NBA’s decision and described it as a breach of trust and an unethical action.
The statement clarified that the ₦300 million was paid with the mutual understanding that Port Harcourt would host the 2025 NBA AGC.
According to the government, the agreement was made in good faith, with the expectation that the conference would boost the local economy and benefit the businesses of residents.
“The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the ₦300 million paid for that purpose is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust,” the statement read.
The Rivers State Government has now demanded an immediate refund of the funds and warned that failure to do so would leave the state with no option but to pursue all available legal avenues to recover what it described as the property of the people of Rivers State.
Despite the fallout, the state government reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with professional bodies, including the NBA, but cautioned that it would not tolerate exploitation in any form.
