- If you enter an agreement and turn around to frustrate the agreement, then losses will lie where they’ve fallen — Abuja lawyer
Chairman of the 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, has debunked the allegation that the Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
Clarifying the position, Obegolu, in a statement, explained that “the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights.”
He also added that “the money from Rivers State”, like other support received from organisations, agencies of government and state governments towards the hosting AGCs over the years “, was a gift and was not tied to any purported hosting right for the NBA AGC.”
The full statement reads:
The attention of the Annual General Conference planning committee has been drawn to a statement credited to the Administrator of Rivers state to the effect that Rivers state government paid hosting rights for the hosting of the NBA AGC 2025.
We wish to clarify that the decision to host the 2025 AGC in Portharcourt was taken in August 2024 and was not subject of any bidding process or payment of any hosting rights. The host city has no hosting right and there is no representation by the NBA that the Conference must be held in a chosen city.
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 the NBA. Such financial support 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.
We are committed to delivering a world-class conference to members of the Bar and will not be drawn into any unnecessary controversy over this issue.
Emeka Obegolu, SAN
Chair 2025 NBA AGC Planning Committee
Responding to Monday, Ibas, the illegal Sole Administrator’s demand for the NBA to demonstrate integrity and refund what he termed ‘N300 Million conference hosting fee’ to Rivers State, an Abuja lawyer, Chief Nkereuwem Akpan, had this to say:
I read with dismay the above piece credited to the illegality calling himself “Sole Administrator of Rivers State. So this retired Soldier actually expected lawyers to gather in Port Harcourt under his emergency rule and by so doing unwittingly sanction and give a veneer of legality to what is an ipso facto illegality? Who is deceiving him?
Really? I’m not surprised because once a soldier, always a soldier. That’s why soldiers are not fit to hold political office or any other office in a democratic setting.
If you enter an agreement and turn around to frustrate the agreement, then losses will lie where they’ve fallen. It’s a trite principle of law, which, by the way, retired Admiral Ibas may be forgiven for he has no clue.
The agreement to host NBA AGC in Port Harcourt is frustrated, and Ibas should go to Court to challenge it.
In any event, he lacks the locus standi as an unelected Sole Administrator to cry more than the bereaved. If the people of Rivers State decide to ask for their money through their elected representatives, then we will listen.
Bottomline Ibas should shut up and continue his shameful dismantling of democratic structures that he has been embarking upon
