Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the sum of N300 million collected from the Rivers State government for its annual general conference (AGC).
Gatekeepers News reports that recently, the NBA announced its decision to relocate the 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt—Rivers State’s capital—to Enugu. This change was attributed to alleged “constitutional violations” occurring in Rivers State amid the implementation of emergency rule in the region.
In response, the Rivers State government, led by administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, has requested the return of the N300 million that was paid for the rights to host the conference. The government emphasized that if the NBA values its principles, it should return the funds.
On the other hand, the NBA contends that the money received was intended as a “gift” rather than a formal payment for hosting the event, asserting that it did not sell any rights related to the conference.
The Rivers State government has indicated that it may pursue legal action if the funds are not refunded. Addressing the issue, Adegboruwa stressed that the NBA lacks justification for retaining the monetary donation from Rivers State.
“All lawyers in Nigeria pay their practising fees annually. Money is also charged for lawyers who wish to attend the conference, such that there is no basis for NBA going cap in hand to beg for money to host a conference of lawyers,” he said.
“Lawyers are the conscience of the society, who are expected to champion the rule of law.
“Such an organization should not be seen to be romancing with any government socially in the face of suffering by the masses of our people due to wicked economic policies and human rights abuses by the government. After all, he who pays the piper dictates the tune.
“We have no basis retaining the ‘gift’ from Rivers State, so NBA should refund the money immediately. We should not hide under any semantics or bureaucracy to retain the money.
“It should be paid into an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria pending the restoration of democracy in Rivers state. NBA is not a bank.”
The senior advocate said if the money has been spent, senior lawyers should come together “to contribute N1 million each in order to raise the money”.
“Going forward, NBA should thread cautiously in raising funds from all manner of persons and institutions. Lawyers in Nigeria are well endowed to fund any programme for the NBA,” he added.
