NewStats: 3,261,771 , 8,175,088 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 01:11 PM w6y6b

The Rivers government has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to refund the N300 million allegedly paid for the hosting rights of the legal body’s 2025 annual conference.

The state government, under the leadership of the sole , said if the NBA is truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the sum.

BACKGROUND

Last Friday, the NBA moved its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Enugu.

The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a Sole , who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation,” the NBA had said.

The decision came weeks after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a protracted political crisis.

The president suspended Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state; Ngozi Odu, his deputy; and all house of assembly for six months.

Tinubu also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-iral, as the sole for Rivers.

‘NBA SHOULD DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY’

In a statement on Monday, the government said the NBA’s position “overlooks the constitutional basis for the current istration in Rivers state”.

The statement signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, senior special assistant on media to the Rivers state government, said the declaration of the emergency rule in the state was a “necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes”.

“Contrary to the NBA’s assertions, the sole has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to restoring democratic institutions as soon as practicable,” the statement reads.

“Upholding the constitutional rights of all residents, including freedom of movement, speech, and association. Respecting judicial pronouncements, including those of the Supreme Court, which have guided the istration’s actions.

“The NBA, as a body of legal minds, should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.

“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.”

In August 2024, Afam Osigwe, NBA president, announced that the 2025 AGC

https://www.thecable.ng/rivers-government-replies-nba-demands-refund-of-n300m-paid-for-conference-hosting-rights/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJp6dJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHlXpDIUciNmWaTlf9QA9RpZPZ4f5ejUmheAP3VLPXSGLOF8gjSIq-_BcbZCD_aem_eQHNuAEZJFlKuA4SuSTAZw

The NBA is correct to reject Rivers state in protest of the gross constitutional desecration of the constitution by Tinubu and the Legislature.

But they should do the honorable thing to refund the money..

Doesn't change the fact that their stance is in order.

Voicemail.

Money that have been shared . . .
The money can't be complete again aswear

No wonder, NBA under Afam has eaten a 300mitre disguised as hosting right. No wonder he was running his mouth in of Foolbara . Werey plenty for this country. They should honorably refund the money. It belongs to Rivers biko

This Ibas is very smart.
This is a big trap the NBA wants to enter.

If they refund that money now, it means they have bestowed recognition and legitimacy on the .

M

Money wey dem don chop since

Foolish

Ok o

Ibas should know that one day audit will be carried out.

They will go and collect another 300 million from Enugu state government and share it.


Even the conference self, we go later hear say charge and bail lawyers steal senior lawyers phone.

Using money meant to develop people's life to host event up nd down..

So in this case who is RIVERS STATE GOVT.

The Fubara at home or the Ibas on a stolen stool

ddippset:
The NBA is correct to reject Rivers state in protest of the gross constitutional desecration of the constitution by Tinubu and the Legislature.

But they should do the honorable thing to refund the money..

Doesn't change the fact that their stance is in order.

money donated by democratically elected governor can't be refunded to military

NBA think they can talk

No wonder they have been on Fubara side all this while

Hehehe

Reaffirmed his commitment to restore democratic institutions. Lmao 🤣. Wallahi we don’t practice democracy in this country . See how it sounds like a military dictator saying , in abacha’s voice, he will restore democracy to the state.

Chai, Tinubu you do this one .

No refunds after payment.

NIGERIANS ARE VERY CORRUPT

NBA COLLECTED MONEY FROM FUBARA

NO WONDER THEY WERE SHOUTING UP AND DOWN WHEN FUBARA WAS REMOVED, BUT REFUSED TO SHOUT DURING FUBARA RASCALITY

The person in the government house of Rivers State right now is imposed on the people and only representing the interest of wike and tinubu not the people of Rivers State.
He doesn't have any mandate to act on behalf the people and should not be addressed as the government

Saao:
money donated by democratically elected governor can't be refunded to military

e go shock you

This Tinubu clown is over doing and is heading somewhere, a self-destruct mission which will bring a big shame to him and those that sent him.

It is fixed. Tinubu is OTP. One Term President

Tinubu, wike, Akpabio and Ibok-Ete Ibas are all mad.

ddippset:
The NBA is correct to reject Rivers state in protest of the gross constitutional desecration of the constitution by Tinubu and the Legislature.

But they should do the honorable thing to refund the money..

Doesn't change the fact that their stance is in order.

refund it to who?.....d sole or wait for Fubara?

Sole is asking for refund
Interesting development

Yarimo, helinues et al, you guys have been lying, claiming Obi refused to pay the salaries of doctors.

Well, your lies keep getting bursted every day. Shame unto you.

Which Rivers government?

ddippset:
The NBA is correct to reject Rivers state in protest of the gross constitutional desecration of the constitution by Tinubu and the Legislature.

But they should do the honorable thing to refund the money..

Doesn't change the fact that their stance is in order.

They will refund it to the govt that pai.
Na Fubara govt pay the money, na Fubara govt go receive am

This should not even be up for discussion.