Rivers Hotelier To Refund Millions After NBA Conference Relocation
A Port Harcourt-based entrepreneur and owner of Portland Hotel and Resort, Azubuike Ihemeje, has announced that he will have to refund N24m to lawyers who had booked reservations at his hotel for the 2025 Nigerian Bar Association annual conference, which has been relocated to Enugu State.
THE WHISTLER reported that the NBA announced the relocation of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Enugu, over what it described as an “unconstitutional governance” in the state.
In a statement released late Thursday and jointly signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, and Chairman of the AGC Planning Committee Emeka Obegolu, the association said the change was necessary considering the “unfortunate turn of events in the state”
The NBA declared the appointment of a Sole Administrator in Rivers unconstitutional and affirmed its stance to uphold the principles of democracy and legality.
The lawyers also criticised the sole administrator’s “command-style” governance, describing it as a clear departure from constitutional and democratic norms.
“His actions have undermined democratic institutions and processes, flouting the rule of law with impunity. Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule,” the statement read.
It also condemned the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions in the state.
According to the statement, the unanimous decision to move the conference to Enugu was reached following consultations with NBA branch chairmen in Rivers State and an emergency session of the National Executive Council (NEC) on March 27.
“To hold our flagship event in such circumstances would amount to a tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law,” the statement emphasized.
“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu. The city possesses the infrastructure and capacity to host a conference of our scale and significance.”
Ihemeje, who took to his Facebook page to speak on the issue, disclosed that he will have to refund money to lawyers who had made reservations.
“Nigerian Bar Association has canceled its 2025 annual conference originally scheduled for Port Harcourt. The new venue is billed to hold Enugu.
“Me: I must now refund over 24 million naira to lawyers who had already paid for reservations,” he posted.
Rivers Hotelier To Refund Millions After NBA Conference Relocation is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
