NBA Rejects Rivers State’s ₦300M Refund Request, Declares Funds a Voluntary Gift from Suspended Governor Fubara

 NBA Rejects Rivers State’s ₦300M Refund Request, Declares Funds a Voluntary Gift from Suspended Governor Fubara

Nigerian Bar Association Stands Firm: ₦300 Million Was a Donation, Not a Deal—Rivers State’s Refund Bid Shut Down

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has unequivocally dismissed a demand by the Rivers State Government for the refund of ₦300 million, stating that the money was a voluntary donation, not a contractual obligation tied to the hosting of the 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC). The NBA’s stance reaffirms its independence, constitutional values, and commitment to transparency, at a time when political turbulence in Rivers State casts long shadows over governance and the rule of law.



Breaking Down the Dispute: Facts Over Fiction

At the heart of this financial standoff is a ₦300 million contribution made by Governor Siminalayi Fubara—prior to his suspension—toward the NBA’s flagship annual event. Following the NBA's decision to relocate the 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu due to political instability and constitutional breaches in Rivers State, Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas demanded the money be refunded, alleging it was payment for hosting rights.

However, the NBA made it clear: it doesn’t sell hosting rights—ever. Emeka Obegolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Chair of the NBA’s AGC Planning Committee, publicly clarified that the decision to hold the AGC in Port Harcourt was made in August 2024, well before the contribution, and without any quid pro quo arrangements.

“We don’t auction conferences to the highest bidder,” Obegolu emphasized. “Support received from governments is treated as sponsorship—not as payment for influence or rights.”

This statement, sourced directly from the NBA's official communications and reported by reputable outlets such as Sahara Reporters and Premium Times, firmly underscores the Association’s refusal to return the funds.

What Really Happened in Rivers? A State Under Siege

The NBA’s decision to move its AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu wasn’t made lightly. The leadership cited "constitutional aberrations" and an alarming erosion of democratic governance in Rivers State. Since Governor Fubara’s political suspension, Rivers has been under the control of a sole administrator—a retired military officer, Ibok-Ete Ibas—operating in clear defiance of constitutional processes and judicial rulings.

Legal experts and civil society groups have condemned the setup, likening it to a military-style command structure, bypassing both legislative oversight and the courts—a move NBA leaders warned could set a dangerous precedent if legitimized by hosting a national event there.

By relocating the event, the NBA made a high-stakes, high-principle decision that speaks volumes: rule of law cannot be compromised for convenience.

This financial and political impasse is more than a matter of refund—it’s a litmus test for institutional integrity in Nigeria. The NBA's refusal to succumb to political pressure solidifies its role as a bulwark against tyranny and misrule. It’s also a stark reminder that not all funding comes with strings attached.

In the global context, the NBA’s principled stand reflects a broader call for democratic accountability, especially in developing nations where legal institutions often face interference from executive overreach.

According to data from the Rule of Law Index, countries with high institutional independence are 48% more likely to maintain economic and political stability over the long term.

That’s a metric the NBA appears keen on reinforcing.

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