The Rivers State Government has refuted claims by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that the N300 million it received was an unconditional donation, unrelated to the hosting of the NBA’s Annual General Conference in the state.
The government emphasized that it would pursue all legal avenues to recover the funds if the NBA failed to return the money voluntarily.
In a statement issued by Hector Igbikiowubo, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Rivers State Government, the administration maintained that official records indicate the N300 million was specifically allocated to support the hosting of the NBA’s Annual General Conference in Rivers State.
The statement reads: “The government outrightly rejects the NBA’s recent allegation that the N300million payment made by the state was a “gift”, unrelated to hosting rights for the NBA AGC 2025.
“For clarity, the Rivers State Government’s records show that the payment of N300 million to the NBA was made with the mutual understanding that Rivers State would host the 2025 edition of the NBA AGC.
“The Rivers State Government entered into this arrangement with the NBA in good faith, with the understanding that hosting the conference in the state would attract significant economic benefits to our state, positively and directly impact the businesses of our people.
“The NBA’s unilateral decision to relocate the AGC 2025 against our mutual understanding and subsequent decision to withhold the N300 million paid to host the NBA AGC 2025 in Rivers State is unethical and amounts to a breach of trust.
“Failure of the NBA to immediately refund the N300 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.
“We reaffirm our willingness to engage in partnerships with all professional bodies, including the NBA, but we will not accommodate exploitation of our people and the Rivers State Government”.
