Prominent lawyers have endorsed the relocation of 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigeria Bar Association from River State to Enugu State over what the association termed “unconstitutional and dictatorial governance”.
The move followed the appointment of State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025 in Rivers, which has been embroiled in political upheaval caused by State actors in the State.
The controversial state-of-emergency rule declared in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, which resulted in the suspension of elected officials and democratic institutions.
But, in a joint statement by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara; and Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Chair of the AGC Planning Committee, the Association expressed grave concern over what it termed “a command-style approach to governance” that disregards court decisions, legal processes, and constitutional provisions.
Reacting to the decision taken by the apex body of the Bar, a Human Right lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, commended the NBA for this conscientious decision.
He made the disclosure on his Meta formerly known as Facebook pages on Friday April 11th 2025.
Effiong said, “The Nigerian Bar Association courageously led by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN has moved the location of the 2025 Annual General Conference of the NBA from Rivers State to Enugu.
“The decision was taken to strengthen the NBA’s condemnation and rejection of the aberration called a sole administrator.
“This is the NBA that some of us can proudly identify with.
“Let Tinubu, Akpabio, Wike and their impostor called Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete organize their own conference in Rivers State and entertain themselves.
Again, the NBA insisted that to hold its flagship annual event in Rivers State under the current political circumstances would amount to a “tacit endorsement of constitutional violations and subversion of the rule of law”, NBA said “as a result, the 2025 AGC has now been relocated to Enugu, a city NBA officials say is capable of hosting an event of its scale and importance.
“We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Annual General Conference will now be held in the historic Coal City of Enugu.
“We are confident that, with concerted efforts, this change of venue will not compromise our commitment to delivering a successful and impactful Conference.
“We convened meetings with the Chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State and held an emergency session of the National Executive Council (NEC) on the 27th of March, 2025. The overwhelming consensus was that the NBA could not, in good conscience, proceed with the AGC in a state governed unconstitutionally by a Sole Administrator.
“Currently, Rivers State is being governed by a retired military officer, appointed as a Sole Administrator, who operates with a command-style approach that disregards constitutional provisions, court decisions, and pending litigation.
“Though clad in civilian attire, he governs as though the state is under military rule”, the statement said.
While condemning the move as a violation of several provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Sections 305, 11, and 188, the NBA said, “The purported ratification by the National Assembly, executed via voice vote rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, amounts to a grave constitutional subversion.
“The purported ratification by the National Assembly, executed via voice vote rather than the constitutionally required two-thirds majority, amounts to a grave constitutional subversion.
“The voice of our members, particularly those calling for a change of venue, grew stronger over time,” the statement emphasized.
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