*Says “NBA Regularly Receives Donations
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Legal scholar and prominent human rights activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has weighed in on the escalating controversy surrounding the alleged ₦300 million disbursed by the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC).
Speaking in an interview with Voice of the People TV, Odinkalu dismissed the political theatrics surrounding the issue and instead called for transparency and accountability from all parties involved. He urged those making claims about the transaction to present verifiable evidence.
Odinkalu specifically challenged the Sole Administrator of Rivers State—appointed after the declaration of emergency rule in the state—to produce concrete documentation if he maintains that the money was given as part of a contractual agreement.
“If the governor or this impostor in Port Harcourt—whatever his name is—is serious about this, then let him produce the records,” Odinkalu stated bluntly. “You don’t hand over that kind of money without documentation. It’s really that straightforward.”
The controversy deepened as conflicting figures emerged. While the NBA maintains that the ₦300 million was not tied to hosting rights or any contractual terms, the AGC organizing committee claimed it received only ₦200 million. Meanwhile, the Sole Administrator insists the entire ₦300 million was disbursed, further muddying the waters.
Addressing this discrepancy, Odinkalu acknowledged that individuals and institutions regularly make donations to the NBA. However, he stressed that any claim suggesting a legal or contractual obligation—especially from a government source—must be supported by clear and credible records.
“You don’t acquire contractual rights through oral tradition. You do it with vouchers, receipts, and written agreements,” he emphasized. “So, can he produce those, please?”
Broadening the conversation, Odinkalu reflected on the growing political interest in the NBA’s affairs. He recounted a revealing episode from over a decade ago involving a governor from Nigeria’s Middle Belt, who once asked a senior advocate which candidate to support in an NBA election. When asked why he cared, the governor reportedly replied, “The NBA is too serious for us to leave to you lawyers alone.”
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