Adegboruwa slams NBA over ₦300m Rivers grant, demands urgent refund to protect legal integrity
On Wednesday, April 16, renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to immediately refund the ₦300 million it received from the Rivers State Government as support for its Annual General Conference.
In a passionate post on his Facebook page, Adegboruwa voiced shock and disappointment, insisting that the NBA — a professional body funded by its own members — had no business accepting public funds, especially during a time of economic hardship and political tension.
“All lawyers in Nigeria pay their practicing fees annually. Additional fees are charged for those attending the conference. There is therefore no reason for the NBA to go cap in hand to beg for money,” he wrote.
Adegboruwa, known for his outspoken defense of the rule of law, argued that by accepting such a large sum from a state government under scrutiny, the NBA risks losing its credibility and appearing biased.
“Lawyers are the conscience of the society and must not be seen to align with any government, particularly one under scrutiny for anti-democratic practices. He who pays the piper dictates the tune,” he warned.
A call for action
Adegboruwa demanded that the ₦300 million be returned immediately, even suggesting that it be placed in an escrow account with the Central Bank of Nigeria until what he described as “the restoration of democracy in Rivers State.”
Recognizing that the funds may already have been used, he urged Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to donate ₦1 million each to cover the refund, stating:
“The elders of the Bar must intervene swiftly. NBA is not a bank. We cannot afford to compromise our independence.”
Protecting the Bar’s independence
He also called on the NBA to be more cautious in sourcing future funding, arguing that the legal community in Nigeria has enough internal strength to fund its own events without external interference.
“The legal profession must be seen as truly independent. Anything less brings collective shame,” Adegboruwa stated.
The ₦300 million donation from the Rivers State Government has been at the center of growing public concern, with critics questioning its timing, transparency, and potential influence on the NBA’s neutrality.
As of now, the NBA has not released an official statement responding to the calls for a refund.
