2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference Accommodation Crisis: NACO Logistics Ltd. to Pursue Legal and Regulatory Action Against De Palms Hotel, Port Harcourt

Background

NACO Logistics Ltd. made payment to De Palms Hotel based on a special discounted accommodation rate of ₦70,000 per room, as against the hotel’s displayed rate of ₦120,000 per room.

The accommodation was duly arranged and paid for by NACO Logistics Ltd. for guests staying from 20th to 29th August 2026.

However, according to the company, on 1st August 2026, the hotel demanded a revised rate of ₦160,000 per room, despite the accommodation having been reserved and paid for since 4th March 2026.

The hotel reportedly attributed the revised demand to the increased demand for accommodation arising from the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference.

NACO Logistics Ltd. Questions the Conduct

NACO Logistics Ltd. considers the development deeply troubling.

In the company’s view, the matter goes beyond an ordinary contractual disagreement. The decision to substantially increase the agreed room rate after payment had been made and the reservation confirmed, followed by the failure to provide the accommodation on the agreed terms, raises serious concerns about fair dealing, consumer protection and respect for contractual commitments.

The revised rate of ₦160,000 represented an increase of more than 100% over the original special rate of ₦70,000 offered before payment was made.

NACO Logistics Ltd. maintains that a hotel should not, in its view, be permitted to take advantage of an extraordinary surge in demand to unilaterally alter a rate that had already been offered, accepted and paid for by a customer.

The company therefore considers the conduct to be potentially fraudulent and intends to place the full circumstances before the appropriate authorities for investigation and determination.

Failure to Honour the Reservation and Refund Payment

Despite the reported failure to honour the reservation, NACO Logistics Ltd. states that De Palms Hotel has, to date, neither provided the agreed accommodation nor refunded the money paid by the company.

This placed NACO Logistics Ltd. in an extremely difficult position, particularly because the affected guests were attending a major national professional conference and could not reasonably be left without accommodation.

In order to protect its guests from being stranded, NACO Logistics Ltd. was compelled, under considerable pressure and at significant additional cost, to secure alternative accommodation elsewhere.

₦5.55 Million in Additional Accommodation Costs

The financial consequences of the incident have been substantial.

The original accommodation arrangement with De Palms Hotel would have cost approximately ₦5,850,000.

However, the alternative accommodation that NACO Logistics Ltd. was forced to secure cost approximately ₦11,400,000.

This represents an additional expenditure of approximately:

₦5,550,000

According to NACO Logistics Ltd., this additional cost was incurred solely because emergency alternative accommodation had to be secured after the original arrangement was not honoured.

The company intends to seek recovery of the financial losses suffered as a result of the incident, subject to the remedies available under applicable Nigerian law.

Reputational Impact on NACO Logistics Ltd.

Beyond the financial implications, NACO Logistics Ltd. says the incident has exposed the company to significant reputational concerns.

As an organisation responsible for making accommodation arrangements for guests and clients, NACO Logistics Ltd. takes its commitments seriously.

The company therefore says it cannot simply overlook a situation in which a partner hotel accepts payment, confirms accommodation and subsequently fails to provide the rooms on the agreed terms at a critical period when accommodation demand is exceptionally high.

NACO Logistics Ltd. maintains that its reputation depends heavily on the reliability of the hotels and service providers with which it partners.

Legal and Regulatory Action

NACO Logistics Ltd. has consequently resolved to approach the appropriate courts and regulatory authorities to seek redress and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the matter are properly investigated.

The company intends to present relevant documentation, including:

• Invoices and booking documents;
• Evidence of payments made to De Palms Hotel;
• Communications exchanged with the hotel;
• Details of the original accommodation rate;
• The subsequent demand for the increased room rate;
• Evidence relating to the failure to provide the booked accommodation; and
• Documentation showing the additional costs incurred in securing alternative accommodation.

NACO Logistics Ltd. says it will pursue all appropriate remedies available to it under Nigerian law.

“This Is About Accountability and Fairness”

The company emphasises that its decision to pursue the matter is not motivated by hostility towards De Palms Hotel or its management.

Rather, NACO Logistics Ltd. says the matter is about accountability, fairness and respect for contractual commitments.

The company has built its business around trust and professionalism and expects the same standards from the hotels and other partners with whom it does business.

According to NACO Logistics Ltd., a confirmed accommodation booking should not be treated as subject to arbitrary last-minute price increases simply because demand has suddenly increased.

The company believes that where an agreement has been entered into in good faith and payment has been made, all parties should respect their respective obligations.

Other Client Complaints Under Review

The De Palms Hotel matter is not the only accommodation-related complaint received by NACO Logistics Ltd. during the 2026 NBA-AGC.

The company has received complaints from some of its clients who were reportedly denied rooms in two hotels, out of more than 86 hotels and serviced apartments with which NACO Logistics Ltd. partnered for the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference.

NACO Logistics Ltd. is currently reviewing the complaints relating to the affected hotels and will determine the appropriate next steps based on the findings of its review.

The company says that each complaint will be assessed on its individual circumstances and that appropriate action will be taken where necessary.

NACO Logistics Ltd. Will Pursue the Matter to Its Logical Conclusion

NACO Logistics Ltd. says it intends to pursue the De Palms Hotel matter to its logical conclusion through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

The company maintains that it will not abandon its claim simply because obtaining redress may take time.

“We will be patient even if it takes a decade.”

NACO Logistics Ltd. believes that the outcome of the matter could also serve as an important lesson for businesses, hotels and other service providers that may contemplate similar conduct in the future.

Commitment to Clients and Business Partners

NACO Logistics Ltd. remains committed to protecting the interests of its clients, guests and business partners.

The company believes that agreements entered into in good faith should be respected by all parties and that businesses should be able to rely on confirmed commitments, particularly where payment has already been made.

As the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference accommodation situation continues to unfold, NACO Logistics Ltd. says it will continue to pursue appropriate remedies and keep relevant stakeholders informed of significant developments.

NACO Logistics Ltd.

For enquiries and further information:

Contact:

Naco Customer care line

John/Cynthia

07031477237

Nacobooking@gmail.com

www.nacobooking.com/blog/2026-nigerian-bar-association-annual-general-conference-accommodation-crisis/⁠