Deji Adeyanju, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Citizens’ Liberties Committee, has responded to Rear Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, who demanded a refund of ₦300 million allegedly given to the NBA.
Adeyanju clarified that the money was not payment for hosting the NBA’s 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC), which was recently moved from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
He explained that the decision to change the location was based on practical concerns such as infrastructure, logistics, and security, and not influenced by money or political reasons.
Adeyanju stated that the ₦300 million was received during the tenure of a constitutionally elected government in Rivers State and argued that the NBA would not recognise or legitimise what he called an unconstitutional governance arrangement currently in place in the state.
He also dismissed the idea that any state can secure hosting rights for the AGC through financial donations, pointing out that the NBA has no tradition or process that allows such transactions.
As an example, he mentioned the 2023 AGC in Abuja, which went ahead without any funding from the Federal Capital Territory.
He insisted that the NBA is not rejecting the people or legal professionals of Rivers State, but as an institution committed to constitutional values, it must take a stand against any form of unconstitutional governance.
Despite the backlash, Adeyanju stated that the decision to move the AGC to Enugu will not be reversed.
He reaffirmed the NBA’s dedication to democracy, national service, and the legal profession in Nigeria.
