Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has called for Immediate refunding of the state’s money which was initially allocated for Nigerian Bar Association.
INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Ibas’ statement is coming, after NBA announced the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Recall that the Association has claimed that it’s will be moving the conference to Enugu State over President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of State of Emergency in the oil rich state.
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NBA described the development as unconstitutional behavior.
Meanwhile, Rivers Sole Administrator in his response to the conference relocation, faulted NBA, saying that motive behind it is misleading and uncharitable.
Ibas made this known in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo.
He said that while NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
The statement reads: “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.
READ MORE: NBA Moves Annual Conference From Rivers To Enugu Over Emergency Rule
“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.
“The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
“We find the reasons cited for this decision particularly the insinuation that the Sole Administrator’s actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law to be misleading, uncharitable, and unbecoming of an association that prides itself on upholding justice and fairness.
“The NBA’s statement overlooks the constitutional basis for the current administration in Rivers State.
“The declaration of a state of emergency was a necessary response to a breakdown of public order and democratic processes.”
