The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has refuted the assertion by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, that the state paid ₦300 million to secure hosting rights for the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), which has now been relocated to Enugu State.
In response to Ibas’s demand for a refund of the alleged payment, the NBA, through a statement signed by the Chairman of its Conference Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, and released to the press on Monday, clarified that the funds received from Rivers State were a gift and not linked to any hosting rights.
The legal body explained that it is customary for its organizing committee to seek support from organizations, government agencies, and state governments due to the significant expenses associated with hosting the AGC.
They emphasized that any support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any other rights, and they stated their intention to avoid unnecessary disputes with Ibas on this matter.
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The statement read: “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 the 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 Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
“The host city has no hosting rights, 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, the NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations and agencies of government and state governments for support, and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organisations, 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.
“We are committed to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.”
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