Refund ₦300m To Rivers State, Lawyers Tell NBA.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been advised to refund the ₦300 million it received from the Rivers State Government for its 2025 Annual General Conference in order to protect the integrity and image of the Legal Profession.
Barristers Ebun Adegoruwa (SAN) and Andrew Emeka, President of the African Public Interest Lawyers Union (APILU) gave the advice on Tuesday in Lagos. The lawyers said the gift has now become controversial due to the political developments in rivers state and the NBA’S decision to move the conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu means the NBA should return the gift.
Adegoruwa expressed shock and disbelief about the incident saying all lawyers in Nigeria pay their practicing fees annually. Fees are also charged for those who wish to attend the conference. There is no basis for the NBA to go cap in hand, begging for money to host a conference of Lawyers, Adegboruwa stated.
The chairman of the NBA 2025 conference planning committee, Emeka Obegolu (SAN), said the money was an unconditional gift to support the event. However, the Rivers State Government has vowed to use all legal means to recover the money if the NBA refuses to return it willingly.
