Rivers Sole Administrator asks NBA to refund N300m hosting grant Fubara approved
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the N300 million offered to them by the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
Ibas said the money was given to the NBA to host its Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt which has now been relocated to Enugu State.
NBA had disclosed that it moved its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu due to the emergency rule in Rivers State.
Disclosing this, NBA’s leadership, Afam Osigwe, said the actions of Ibas undermines democratic institutions and processes, adding that it flouts the rule of law with impunity, which NBA abhors.
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Osigwe said NBA members agreed that the body could not in good conscience, proceed with the conference in a state governed unconstitutionally by a sole administrator.
Reacting, Ibas faulted NBA’s reason, stressing that it was misleading and uncharitable.
A statement by Ibas reads partly: “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
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