The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has denied claims that it sold hosting rights for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) to the Rivers State Government, stating that the ₦300 million received from the state was a donation, not a payment tied to any agreement

NBA, through its Chairman for the 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, disclosed in a statement on Monday.

This clarification follows a public statement by the Rivers State Government alleging that it paid the NBA to secure hosting rights for the conference, which was initially scheduled to be held in Port Harcourt but has now been moved to Enugu.

Reacting to this, Obegolu said no such rights were sold and that the state’s financial contribution was a gift, not a transaction.

According to Obegolu, the decision to hold the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was made as far back as August 2024 and was not the outcome of any bidding process.

Obegolu explained that because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, the NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organisations, agencies of government, and state governments for support and the support requested is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.

Obegolu also noted that the funds received from Rivers State were not tied to any hosting rights but were a goodwill contribution to support the success of the event.

“The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC,” Obegolu said.

He, however, assured NBA members and the public that the planning committee remains focused on delivering a world-class conference and will not be distracted by what he described as “unnecessary controversy.”

The Rivers State Government demanded a refund of ₦300 million from the NBA, following the association’s decision to relocate the 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

The state’s spokesperson to the Sole Administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo, insisted the money was paid as hosting rights and must be returned now that the conference will 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“Since the NBA has withdrawn from its contractual and moral commitment, it must refund the money it received in good faith,” Igbikiowubo said.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.