By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
The Rivers State Government has demanded a refund of N300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association following the controversial relocation of the association’s 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ete Ibas, issued the demand after the NBA opted to move the event in protest against President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in the state, which led to the suspension of elected officials including Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement on Monday, Ibas’ spokesperson, Hector Igbikiowubo, criticised the NBA for failing to address the issue of repayment despite its decision to switch venues.
“The NBA has exercised its right to relocate the conference, but the financial commitment of Rivers State must be honoured,” Igbikiowubo stated.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the payment was not an official prerequisite for hosting the event, noting that the NBA has already suffered losses from branded materials and other preparations.
Despite the controversy, the NBA maintains that the decision was driven by principle rather than politics, standing by its move to relocate the high-profile conference.
