NBA Clarifies N300 Million Controversy: A Gift, Not a Hosting Fee — Full Breakdown of AGC Relocation from Rivers to Enugu
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Africa’s largest professional body of legal practitioners, is at the center of a heated national debate following its decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu. The decision has not only drawn political and legal interest but has also triggered a financial controversy surrounding the N300 million previously given to the NBA by the Rivers State government.
As the news of the relocation continues to reverberate across the legal and political communities in Nigeria, the NBA has issued a statement to set the record straight: the N300 million was not a payment for “hosting rights” but an unsolicited gift in support of the association’s broader objectives.
This article explores the unfolding controversy in detail — from the background of the AGC planning, the NBA’s position, the Rivers State government’s reaction, to the broader implications for governance, the legal profession, and institutional transparency in Nigeria.
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In August 2024, the NBA’s National Executive Committee formally selected Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as the host city for the 2025 Annual General Conference. The AGC is the most prestigious gathering of legal professionals in Nigeria, bringing together thousands of lawyers, judges, policy experts, public servants, and international delegates each year.
Port Harcourt’s selection was received with widespread applause, particularly by members of the NBA Port Harcourt branch, who saw the opportunity as an economic and professional boost to the region.
According to Emeka Obegolu, the Chairman of the AGC Planning Committee, “the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken on merit and not the result of any bidding war or hosting rights transaction.” He added that there is no established practice in the NBA of awarding hosting rights based on financial contributions or political considerations.
Trouble began to brew in March 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following weeks of political tension and institutional instability. The appointment of a Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, to oversee the affairs of the state after the removal of elected officials was seen by many, including prominent members of the NBA, as a violation of constitutional democracy.
Citing this constitutional breakdown, the NBA announced on April 10, 2025, that it would relocate its Annual General Conference to Enugu, a move that was described as a principled stand in defense of the rule of law.
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“The NBA cannot in good conscience proceed with its flagship event in a state where democratic governance has been suspended,” said Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), the President of the NBA.
The announcement of the AGC relocation sparked an angry response from the Rivers State government. Through an official letter signed by the Sole Administrator, the state accused the NBA of betraying the trust and goodwill extended to it and demanded the immediate refund of N300 million previously given to the association.
The letter stated: “The NBA must return the N300 million advanced to it by the Rivers State Government. That money was provided in good faith and for the purpose of hosting the AGC in Port Harcourt. Since the NBA has decided to move the event elsewhere, it must uphold the principles it claims to represent by returning public funds.”
This demand triggered a storm of reactions on social media, in legal circles, and within civil society organizations.
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In a detailed rebuttal issued on April 14, 2025, the NBA firmly rejected the claim that the N300 million was tied to any formal hosting agreement. The statement, signed by AGC Chairman Emeka Obegolu, emphasized the following key points:
-
No Bidding Process Involved
The decision to host the AGC in Port Harcourt was not subject to any formal bid or hosting agreement. Cities are chosen based on a range of factors, including accessibility, hospitality infrastructure, security, and logistics. -
Support Was Voluntary and Unconditional
Obegolu stated that “the NBA routinely approaches state governments, corporate bodies, and agencies for support, not in exchange for hosting rights but as part of corporate social responsibility and goodwill.” -
Precedents Exist
Previous AGCs have received financial and logistical support from state governments such as Lagos, Kano, Abuja, and Delta — none of which were tied to hosting rights or binding contracts. -
Use of Funds Was Transparent
The NBA assured its members and the public that all financial support received, including the N300 million, is properly accounted for and subject to internal audit mechanisms. -
No Refund Required
Since the money was neither solicited under a contractual obligation nor used exclusively for Port Harcourt-specific logistics, the NBA maintains that it is under no obligation to return it.
The NBA’s statement has drawn mixed reactions from members of the legal community.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, speaking on a morning radio program, said: “This matter boils down to transparency and governance. If the money was indeed a donation, then the Rivers government has no legal ground to request a refund. But the NBA must demonstrate that the funds were not tied to any promise or representation.”
Other lawyers have taken to social media to express either solidarity with the NBA or concern about the optics.
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A lawyer from the Rivers State branch, who requested anonymity, said: “We feel betrayed. We mobilized for this AGC. The NBA should have consulted stakeholders before pulling out and issuing a controversial statement.”
Conversely, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The NBA is right to move the AGC. A state under emergency rule, with no democratic structures, cannot host a gathering of lawyers who are meant to defend constitutional democracy.”
The key legal question remains: Did the NBA enter into a binding agreement with the Rivers State government regarding the hosting of the AGC?
Lawyers familiar with contract law point out that unless there was a written agreement stipulating conditions, deliverables, and consequences for non-performance, the N300 million would be classified as a donation.
Furthermore, under Nigerian contract law, gifts are typically not subject to refund unless there was fraud or misrepresentation — neither of which has been proven.
“It is not uncommon for state governments to support conferences and NGOs,” said constitutional lawyer Professor Ernest Ojukwu (SAN). “What matters is the intent and documentation. If Rivers gave the money as a gift, they have no legal claim.”
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The entire controversy has taken on a deeply political color. Some commentators argue that the NBA’s move and the Rivers government’s response are both politically charged.
Rivers has been a battleground for political dominance, with the current Sole Administrator seen as a controversial figure. Critics say that the NBA’s withdrawal was a symbolic rebuke of authoritarian governance and an attempt to draw a red line.
On the other hand, the Rivers administration accuses the NBA of hypocrisy and political bias, alleging that other states with questionable records have hosted the AGC in the past.
The timing of the relocation — just weeks after the emergency declaration — has led to speculation that the NBA may be positioning itself as a political force or moral watchdog.
Civil society groups and transparency advocates have called on the NBA to publish a detailed financial report on the use of all funds received from Rivers and other donors.
“The NBA must walk the talk. If you claim the money was not tied to anything, show us how it was spent. Publish the receipts. Set an example,” said Auwal Musa Rafsanjani of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
In response, the NBA has hinted that a financial report will be made available at its next NEC meeting in June 2025.
For many observers, this is a test of both NBA’s institutional integrity and the commitment of Nigerian public officials to the principles of democracy and transparency.
The NBA’s stand on moving the AGC from a politically unstable state sends a powerful message about the rule of law and democratic governance. However, the controversy surrounding the N300 million gift reminds everyone that even the most principled decisions must be backed by rigorous financial transparency.
Whether this episode strengthens or weakens the NBA remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the association has chosen to prioritize principle over convenience — a move that may inspire or divide, depending on one’s political and legal lens.
As the dust settles on this controversy, several developments are expected in the coming weeks:
- A formal NEC meeting of the NBA to address the controversy.
- Possible litigation if the Rivers State government pursues legal action.
- Increased scrutiny of financial dealings between professional bodies and state governments.
- A renewed call for transparency and governance in the legal profession.
The 2025 Annual General Conference, now scheduled to hold in Enugu in August, is likely to draw record participation — not just because of the usual legal debates but also because of the symbolic weight of recent events.
In the words of Emeka Obegolu, “The NBA belongs to all Nigerian lawyers, and we will not allow political interests to override our commitment to constitutionalism, good governance, and the dignity of our profession.”
As the NBA stands its ground and Rivers State insists on a refund, one thing is clear — the battle for the soul of Nigeria’s legal community is not just about conferences, but about the country’s direction and democratic future.
