The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has found itself in an awkward position that could question its integrity if not properly handled.
The controversy started when the association decided to move its 2025 Annual General Conference earlier fixed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to Enugu, following the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, by President Bola Tinubu.
The NBA had criticised the president for violating the Nigerian Constitution and appointing Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired Chief of Naval Staff, as the sole administrator, insisting that it was unconstitutional.
Last week, Ibas asked the association to refund the N300 million which he said the state government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara paid to secure the hosting rights. But the NBA said it would not refund the money because it was “a gift” for its 2025 Annual General Conference, and not payment to secure hosting rights.
While many have insisted that the NBA should refund the N300 million if indeed it was a payment for hosting rights, others argued that if the payment was a gift to support the association as it claimed, the NBA is not obligated to refund it.
According to them, labour and trade unions, as well as other pressure unions solicit funds from governments and private entities to hold conferences and training programmes without compromising the principles they stand for.
But those who are insisting that the NBA should refund the money, have argued that its acceptance of the ‘gift’ was a betrayal of the very principles it is supposed to champion.
Whatever may be the case, the NBA has a responsibility to its members, the legal profession, and the citizens of Nigeria to uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability.
If the money was tied to the hosting rights as Rivers State government has claimed, the NBA must refund it without delay to avoid damaging its image and attracting litigation.
But supporters of NBA have argued that if it was a free gift, the association should allow the Rivers State government to go to court as it threatened.
The court will decide whether a receiver of a free gift is obligated to return the gift if the giver seeks a return of the gift.
However, to avoid unnecessary controversy over financial dealings that could taint its integrity, the NBA should refund the money and keep its integrity intact.
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