From Godwin Tsa Abuja
A hospitality firm, Chris Akarolo International Company Limited, the owner and proprietor of Chris Beau Hotel and Irunwene Guest House, has filed a N500m damages suit against the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and it’s President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, over the cancellation of the planned hosting of it’s Annual Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Also listed as the 3rd defendant in the suit marked PHC/CS/1401/2025 and filed by Tonnie Anoruewhom is the Chairman, 2025 NBA annual general conference planning committee, Chief Emeka Obegolu (SAN).
The NBA had announced the cancellation of it’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Enugu.
The association made the decision because of what it described as the “constitutional violations” in Rivers State after the emergency rule in the state.
“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a Sole Administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation,” the NBA had said.
But in his originating summons dated April 17, 2025, the claimant is seeking an order of court, directing the defendants to continue with the planned hosting of the NBA annual general conference with the theme: “Stand out, Stand Tall”, billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 23 to 28, 2025.
The claimant is equally seeking an order directing the defendants to pay the sum of N500m for losses he suffered by reason of the negligence, lack of duty care and extra judicial cancellation of the planned hosting of the conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The originating summons urged the court to determine whether the defendants are justified in purporting to cancel the planned hosting of the NBA annual general conference with the theme: “Stand out,”Stand Tall, billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 23 to 28, 2025, on the extra judicial pronouncement that the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and subsequently appointed a Sole Administrator?
As well as whether the defendants exercise due care by reason of their extra judicial allegation and pronouncement in purporting to cancel the planned hosting of the NBA annual general conference with the theme: “Stand out,”Stand Tall, billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 23 to 28, 2025, thereby causing economic loss to the claimant?
In a 24-paragraphs supporting affidavit deposed by Chris Akarolo Jnr, the directors of the claimant and proprietor of Hotels and Events, the claimant averred that since the declaration of the state of emergency in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator, the state has been peaceful and business have progressed very well,including the operations of the claimant and other businesses.
That the NBA did not put in its mind the economic consequences of it’s actions, to wit: the devastating consequences of the withdrawal on the economic life in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
That the NBA (as represented by the defendants) did not advert their minds to the fact that payment have been received from the NBA members by the claimant by reason of the planned conference which would now have to be refunded by the claimant.
He further stated that the defendant did not advert their minds to the fact that the claimant having received payments from the NBA members by reason of the planned conference turned away other customers who sought lodgement with the same period and would not return.
That the claimant would incur additional losses or still loose potential customers by reason of the adverse publicity and pronouncements of the defendants against Port Harcourt, Rivers State, which is now double jeopardy.
That NBA did not litigate the matter of the state of emergency to challenge the Federal government on the likely effects of the state of emergency in Rivers State by reason of their planned annual general conference.
That NBA is not supposed to be politically affiliated. However, by its actions and pronouncement, it has become political actor to the economic detriment of the claimant.