The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has issued a strong warning to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), threatening legal action over a N300 million payment made to the association by the previous state administration under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by Hector Igbikiowubo, the Senior Special Assistant on Media, the Rivers government said it firmly rejects the NBA’s claim that the money was simply a gift. Instead, the state says the funds were paid in return for hosting rights for the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).
“The Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of ₦300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC,” the statement read.
According to the administration, the deal was meant to boost the state’s economy by attracting thousands of lawyers, guests, and businesses to Rivers during the conference. The government noted that such events typically bring wide economic benefits, especially for the hospitality and transport sectors.
However, the state is now accusing the NBA of going back on its word. The government said the association’s decision to move the conference to another location without any consultation broke their agreement. It also criticized the NBA’s refusal to return the funds already paid.
“The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the ₦300 million paid for the purpose of hosting the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust,” the statement continued.
Igbikiowubo further stated that the state will not let the matter go easily. He warned that if the NBA fails to refund the money, the government will head to court to recover what he described as “the property of the good people of Rivers State.”
