The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have engaged in a war of words over the decision of the latter to relocate its Annual General Conference (NBA AGC 2025) from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas had faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable and also asked for a refund of the sum of ₦300 million paid by the suspended governor of the state, Sir Siminalari Fubara, for the hosting rights for the NBA AGC 2025.
However, the Chair 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, faulted the claim of the Sole Administrator, stating that the ₦300 million paid by Fubara was a gift as part of the planning for the Conference.
NBA should honour its integrity-Sole Administrator
The Sole Administrator stated in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, that, while the NBA has the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association did not address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
He said: “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 ₦300 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.”
It added, “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.”
The Sole Administrator further said that President Bola Tinubu, in exercising his constitutional authority, acted in the best interest of the state to restore stability.
“The Sole Administrator’s mandate is clear: to oversee a transitional period that ensures the return of full democratic governance in line with the Constitution.
“To suggest that this intervention ‘flouts the Rule of Law’ is not only incorrect but ignores the Supreme Court’s rulings that have validated key decisions made during this period.
“In the event the NBA is not aware, may we refer the association to the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/CV/1176/2024 (Rivers State House of Assembly & Others vs. Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) & Nine Others), where the apex court unequivocally ruled that any local government election conducted in violation of the Electoral Act is “unconstitutional, null, and void,” it was stated in the statement.
The Sole Administrator further said that, contrary to the NBA’s assertions, he has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to the NBA, as a body of legal minds, and it should know better than to reduce a complex constitutional matter to political sensationalism.
He appealed for constructive engagement, adding: “Rivers State is passing through a challenging but necessary phase in its democratic journey.
“Rather than contributing to unnecessary tension, we expect the NBA—as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy—to engage constructively, offering solutions instead of amplifying divisive narratives.”
“The Sole Administrator remains focused on his mandate to stabilise the state and facilitate a smooth return to full constitutional governance. We urge the NBA and other well-meaning Nigerians to support this process in the interest of peace and progress.”
Rivers Sole Administrator ignorant of the monetary gift -NBA
Replying the Sole Administrator, however, the Chair 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Obegolu, SAN, said the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024.
He further disclosed that it was a decision that was arrived at without subjecting it any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
Obegolu said that it was traditional of the NBA Conference Planning Committee to approach organisations, government agencies and state governments for support to defray the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC.
“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 paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
“We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject to 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 organisations, 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 organisations, 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,” Obegolu stated in a separate statement.
