‘Save the Image of Our Profession, Refund N300m to Rivers Govt.’ – Lawyer Urges NBA

The Nigerian Bar Association is facing mounting pressure to refund ₦300 million received from the Rivers State Government for its 2025 Annual General Conference.

The conference was initially scheduled for Port Harcourt but was relocated to Enugu due to the state’s current political situation.

President of the African Public Interest Lawyers Union, Andrew Emwanta, believes refunding the money would protect the integrity and image of the legal profession.

“There is no proper way to do the wrong thing. The proper thing to do, to save the image of our profession, is for that money to be refunded. It’s Rivers taxpayers’ money. If you are not doing business with them, return their money,” Emwanta said.

Emwanta questioned the NBA’s swift condemnation of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, which led to the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“Barely two hours after the broadcast, the NBA condemned the move. I felt that was hasty,” Emwanta said, accusing the body of aligning itself with Fubara’s faction.

“Now that the NBA is refusing to host its conference in Rivers State, what happens to the money already spent on hotel bookings and logistics? The honourable thing to do is to refund the ₦300 million.”

The Chairman of the NBA 2025 Conference Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, countered that the ₦300 million was an unconditional gift to support the event, not a payment for hosting rights.

“The decision to hold the 2025 conference in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024 and was not based on any financial contribution from the Rivers State Government,” Obegolu said.

Rivers State Administrator, Ibok Ete Ibas, has also weighed in on the issue, stating that the NBA’s justification for relocating the conference was “misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming.” Ibas believes the NBA should demonstrate integrity by returning the funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.

Meanwhile, Enugu State Government has expressed readiness to host the event, assuring lawyers of a “memorable and seamless experience” at the newly commissioned Enugu International Conference Centre.