Rep accuses NBA of hypocrisy, demands refund of Rivers’ N300m

Solomon Bob, a member of the house of representatives, has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to return the N300 million collected from the Rivers state government for its annual general conference (AGC).

BACKGROUND

Last week, the NBA moved its 2025 AGC from Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers, to Enugu.

The association premised its decision on “constitutional violations” in Rivers following the declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

Responding to the NBA’s decision, the state government, under the leadership of Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator, asked the association to refund the N300 million paid for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.

The state government said if the NBA is truly anchored on principles, it should demonstrate it by returning the funds.

Countering the state government, the NBA said the money it received was a “gift” and not payment for the conference’s hosting rights.

The legal profession’s association said it did not sell the hosting rights for the conference.

However, the Rivers state government has threatened legal action if the money is not refunded.

‘REFUND THE MONEY’

In a statement issued on Thursday, Bob, who represents the Abua/Odual and Ahoada east federal constituency of Rivers, accused the NBA of hypocrisy for criticising the declaration of emergency rule in the state.

The lawmaker said the NBA’s position on the political crisis in Rivers state was influenced by financial interests.

He said the association lacks the “jurisdictional competence or ethical example to be a barometer for measuring democracy and constitutionalism”.

Bob alleged that the NBA did not caution Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers, during the heat of the political crisis in the state.

He described the NBA as embodying “hypocrisy and insincerity,” accusing it of remaining silent while the crisis unfolded.

Bob asked the Rivers government to take all necessary measures to recover the N300 million from the NBA.