The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dismissed claims that it received N300 million from the Rivers State Government in exchange for hosting rights for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), stating that the money was a goodwill donation.
In a statement issued Monday, Emeka Obegolu, Chairman of the AGC Planning Committee, clarified that the NBA does not sell hosting rights for its conferences.
This comes after the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas, demanded a refund, alleging the payment was intended to secure hosting privileges. The state argued that if the NBA truly respects the rule of law, it should return the money following the relocation of the conference.
The NBA recently moved the 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu, citing constitutional violations in Rivers State, especially after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state in March.
Responding to the state’s demand, the NBA maintained that Rivers was selected as the host city before any financial support was received.
The association also noted that it does not conduct formal bidding processes, but instead welcomes voluntary financial contributions—without conditions—from individuals and state governments to defray the high cost of organizing the annual conference.
The NBA’s 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 and paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
Read Also: Reps propose bill to empower NBA remove corrupt judges via no-confidence vote
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt 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.
“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.”
 has dismissed claims that it received N300 million from the Rivers State Government in exchange for hosting rights for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), stating that the money was a goodwill donation.){kind=link}