The Rivers State Government has 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 Port Harcourt to Enugu.

The government, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, insisted the sum was paid as hosting rights and must be returned since the event would no longer be held in the state.

“Since the NBA has withdrawn from its contractual and moral commitment, it must refund the money it received in good faith,” he said.

The demand comes days after the NBA cited “unconstitutional governance” and a breakdown of democratic structures in Rivers as reasons for the venue change. The legal body argued that holding its flagship annual event under emergency rule would be inconsistent with its values.

But the Rivers Government rejected the explanation, calling it misleading and politically motivated.

The Rivers government said President Bola Tinubu acted within his constitutional authority when he declared a state of emergency, a decision that resulted in the appointment of a Sole Administrator in place of an elected governor.

It added that the NBA’s move amounted to “moral posturing” and questioned why the association was silent on other states with unresolved constitutional disputes.

More pointedly, the government demanded transparency and consistency from the NBA, calling its refusal to return the ₦300 million “hypocritical” and “financially unethical”.

“If the NBA claims to be standing on principle, then it must back that claim with action — and return the money it collected. Anything short of that is opportunistic,” the government said.

The government insisted that public funds must be accounted for, especially in light of the state’s ongoing efforts to stabilise its institutions under emergency rule.

“This is not just about law; it is about fairness and fiscal accountability. You cannot collect funds, break the agreement, and then walk away with taxpayers’ money,” it added.

While restating its commitment to democratic transition and the rule of law, the Rivers administration urged stakeholders to prioritise facts over optics.