The Nigerian Bar Association says the ₦300 million it received from the Rivers State Government for the 2025 conference was a “gift,” not payment for hosting rights. The NBA’s response follows refund demands from the state, escalating a political and legal controversy over transparency and accountability.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has responded to growing public scrutiny over the ₦300 million it received from the Rivers State Government for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), insisting that the funds were not payment for hosting rights, but a goodwill gesture from the state.
In a statement released Monday, Emeka Obegolu, chairman of the AGC planning committee, described the financial support as a “gift” and emphasized that no commercial transaction took place between the NBA and the state government.
“The Nigerian Bar Association did not sell hosting rights to Rivers State or any entity,” Obegolu stated. “The support extended to the AGC was voluntary and appreciated, and at no point was there any agreement suggesting the funds would be refundable.”
The clarification follows a demand issued last week by the Rivers State Government, which accused the NBA of failing to justify the ₦300 million transfer and requested a full refund. The demand, issued amid a political power tussle within the state, has since sparked a national debate on transparency, public accountability, and the funding of professional bodies.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the Rivers State contribution was part of a broader push by the previous administration to attract national attention to the state and bolster its image as a center for legal discourse. However, with a change in leadership and growing tensions between state actors, that strategy has come under renewed scrutiny.
As the controversy unfolds, public pressure continues to mount, with civic groups demanding greater transparency on both sides and calling for a formal audit of the AGC’s financing. Meanwhile, the NBA has pledged to release a breakdown of how the funds were used, promising that "every kobo will be accounted for."
More developments are expected as political fallout in Rivers State continues to make headlines nationwide.
