Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has addressed concerns regarding the N300 million received from the Rivers State Government.
Gatekeepers News reports that NBA clarified that the funds were a gift to support 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), not a payment for hosting rights.
In a statement released on Monday, Emeka Obegolu, Chairman of AGC Planning Committee, noted that the NBA did not engage in any bidding process or require payments for hosting the conference.
Rivers government had earlier, under the leadership of lbok-Ete lbas, the sole
administrator asked NBA to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the hosting rights of the conference by the state.
The government said if the NBA was truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the money.
NBA had relocated the AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu, citing constitutional violations following the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu in March.
Responding to Rivers’ government claim, NBA said there was no bidding process or payment before the announcement of Rivers as the host of the conference.
NBA explained that due to the huge cost of organising the conference, it approached individuals and state governments for unconditional support.
The statement reads, “We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August
2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.”
“The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.”
“Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.”
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.”
“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”
