The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (retd.), has formally demanded a refund of ₦300 million from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following the association’s decision to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Rivers State to Enugu.
The NBA had announced the venue change, citing concerns over the “collapse of democratic structures” and the declaration of a “state of emergency” in Rivers as justification for withdrawing the hosting rights.
Reacting to the development on Monday, Ibas criticized the NBA’s silence on the funds already disbursed by the state for the hosting rights.
“While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association despite its ‘principled position’ has not addressed the refund of the ₦300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference,” he said.
The retired naval chief called on the NBA to back its public stance with financial accountability.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds, rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
The call for a refund adds a new layer of tension to the political and institutional controversies currently surrounding Rivers State, as stakeholders continue to navigate issues of governance and legitimacy.
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