Return our N300m or face us in Court – Rivers Govt to NBA

The Rivers State Government has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), demanding an immediate refund of ₦300 million following the relocation of the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

In a statement released on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by Hector Igbikiowubo, media aide to the state’s Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the government rejected the NBA’s claim that the ₦300 million was a mere “gift.”

The statement clarified that the funds were disbursed based on a mutual agreement that Rivers State would host the 2025 NBA AGC.

According to the government, the arrangement was made in good faith and was expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the people of the state.

“For clarity, 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.

It described the NBA’s decision to move the conference to another state as “unethical and a breach of trust,” insisting that the funds were not a donation but part of a formal agreement.

The government warned that failure to refund the money would lead to legal steps being taken to retrieve the funds on behalf of the people of Rivers State.

“Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the ₦300 million to the Rivers State Government will compel the implementation of all legal means to recover the property of the good people of Rivers State,” the statement warned.

While expressing openness to working with professional bodies like the NBA, the Rivers State Government maintained that it would not allow any form of exploitation.