By John Ogunsemore
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said the N300 million it received from the Rivers State Government was a gift and not payment for the hosting rights for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).
This is contained in a Monday statement signed by Chairman, 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN.
Last Thursday, the NBA announced that its 2025 AGC initially billed to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had been moved to Enugu State, in response to the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers.
On Monday, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas asked the association to refund the N300 million it received from the state coffers since the conference was no longer holding in the state.
Responding, Obegolu said the NBA did not sell hosting rights for the conference.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers state to the effect that Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
“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.”
Obegolu stated that the committee remained committed to delivering a world class conference to members of the bar and would not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.
The 2025 AGC will hold August 22nd – 29th.