The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has declared that the donation of N300 million to it was a gift and not payment for hosting right.
The NBA in a statement by Emeka Obegolu, SAN, who is the Chairman of its 2025 Annual General Conference Planning Committee, explained that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Port Harcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.
The NBA which stated these while responding to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers state, Vice Admiral Ibas (rted), to the effect that Rivers State government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025, stressed that he host city has no hosting right.
It specifically said that there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
According to the NBA; “Traditionally, because of the enormous cost involved in hosting the AGC, NBA Conference Planning Committee approaches organizations, agencies of government and state governments for support and the support requested for is unconditional and not tied to hosting rights or any rights whatsoever.
“Recent NBA conferences have been supported by different state governments, corporate organizations, ministries, departments and agencies whose budgets accommodate corporate social responsibilities and share the same vision with NBA.
“Such financial supports are in the form of gifts, partnerships or sponsorships. The money from Rivers State was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC,” it stressed.
The NBA said it remain committed to delivering a world class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over the issue.
