Monrovia – The Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change Council of Patriots (CDC-COP), Foday N. Massaquoi, is calling for the removal of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) President, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, for allegedly undermining a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Liberia.

By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) | websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com

In an April 29 press release, Cllr. Varmah argued that the Supreme Court overstepped its authority by intervening in the ongoing leadership dispute within the House of Representatives. He contended that such matters fall exclusively within the domain of the Legislature and that the Court’s intervention violates the separation of powers and the political question doctrines.

“This is simply a violation of the Political Question Doctrine,” the release stated.
It added: “The LNBA, under such circumstances, is constrained to disagree with the Supreme Court that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa was present and available for legislative business.”

A day later, the CDC-COP condemned Varmah’s statement in an interview with FrontPage Africa, demanding his removal as head of the country’s premier legal association.

“The CDC-COP vehemently condemns the actions of Cllr. Varmah for issuing a unilateral political statement with clear intent to discredit and undermine the Honorable Supreme Court—the highest court in the land,” said CDC-COP Chairman Massaquoi.

Massaquoi cited Articles 2 and 76(a)(5) of the 1986 Constitution, asserting that Cllr. Varmah’s actions violate these provisions.

“Fellow Liberians and distinguished friends, for violating these constitutional provisions, the National Executive of the CDC-COP calls for the immediate resignation of Cllr. Varmah as President of the Liberia National Bar Association,” he declared. “He is unfit to lead such a body when he shows no respect for the rule of law. We are calling on the Executive Committee of the Bar Association to force his resignation or initiate impeachment proceedings for bringing the institution into public disrepute.”

Massaquoi emphasized that Article 2 of the Constitution affirms the supremacy of the Constitution and empowers the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. “For Cllr. Varmah to publicly challenge the Supreme Court’s ruling is a gross act of insubordination and a clear display of disrespect to the highest court in the land.”

He further accused Varmah of committing a treasonable offense under Article 76(a)(5), which defines attempts or conspiracies to subvert the Constitution by force or other means as treason. “Cllr. Varmah has betrayed the legal profession, his education, his family, and his country for political motives, and must be held accountable,” Massaquoi said.

The CDC-COP also alleged that Cllr. Varmah’s statement was influenced by the Executive Branch under President Joseph Boakai.

“Cllr. Varmah’s attempt to undermine the Court is part of the Unity Party’s calculated plot, under President Boakai, to demoralize the judiciary,” Massaquoi claimed. “The April 23, 2025, ruling by the Supreme Court is binding under Articles 2 and 66 of the Constitution, yet the Boakai administration has refused to implement it. This defiance risks plunging the country into an unconstitutional crisis reminiscent of Liberia’s darker days.”

Massaquoi called on Liberia’s international partners to take note of what he described as the Boakai-Koung administration’s efforts to “weaponize” the Executive Branch against the judiciary.

“The administration is bribing partisans to disrespect the Court in a bid to justify the legislative gangsterism being financed and supported by the Unity Party Executive. This is a dangerous recipe for chaos, and we condemn it in the strongest terms,” he warned.

He concluded by reaffirming CDC-COP’s commitment to the rule of law and the protection of the Constitution.

MONROVIA – A presidential candidate in the Liberia Bar Association election, Dr. Jallah Barbu, has dispelled rumors circulating in the legal fraternity that the Government of Liberia has funded and is supporting his candidacy.

“It’s important that I inform you, my dear colleagues, that I have not received nor am I being sponsored by any organization, power or institution,” Cllr. Barbu said.

It has been in fact rumored that the government supplied me a huge badge of gas and fuel coupons to distribute to my supporters; and that the President Weah requested me to contest in the elections.

Cllr. Barbu continued, “These rumors are untrue and unfounded. I challenge any lawyer or non-lawyer to prove me wrong.”

He told his colleagues and the general public Thursday, Nov. 25, that as they proceed to elections, he remains resolute to maintain the integrity, independence and sanctity of the Bar.

The law professor pledged that when elected president of the Bar, he shall uphold the image of the legal fraternity and strengthen it.

He asked his colleagues to stand with the Bar and cast their vote for him as he will lead responsibly, serve professionally and engage holistically.

Dr. Barbu congratulated members of the Bar for the high level of interest shown in this convention and by extension the Bar itself.

The law professor wished everyone safe travels to Ganta City, Nimba County and a memorable stay.

GANTA, Nimba – Lawyers in the country under their umbrella organization, the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) have geared up for another convention that will be marked by an election that will changed its three-year leadership.

The current president Tiawan Gongloe ahead of the election slated for Saturday, November 27,2021 in Ganta, Nimba County has called on the four Presidential candidates if elected to exercise the doctrine of self-reliance that he has initiated.

The Bar election committee has so far released the names of four Presidential candidates who have met all requirements and are now on the field campaigning vigorously to replace Cllr, Taiwan Gongloe who have been hailed by many legal luminaries as one who have brought the LNBA to prominence.

Those cleared to contest include Jallah Barbiu, Abraham Sillah, Sylvester Rennie and Swahili Sesay. That have all said in their respective platforms of being the best candidate to replace Gongloe; stressing to advocate for the independence of the Judiciary.

Following his return from Gambia, Banjul over the weekend upon the invitation of the Gambia Bar, Association, Cllr. Gongloe told this paper that his trip in that country was successful but was happy to be back home at the time when the LNBA is going to election.

He indicated that he could not be the best judge to critique his own administration but when his leadership took over in late 2018, the Bar became more visible because every Liberian knew that the legal profession exists.

“When we took over the leadership of the LNBA, we made a promise that the Bar will be the legal counsel for the civil society, government and the business community and not a day passed without assuming that responsibility, but any leader who lower that will not stay there” said Gongloe.

The LNBA President bragged and emphasized the need for self-reliance in the Bar; stating that, “Previous leadership of the Bar used to beg for fund from NGOs to hold convention, but this is not happening now because one who controls the belly controls the mind.”

He stated that now the LNBA under his watch is raising funds on its own through license and other fees; something he said is helping the LNBA to maintain its independence. He noted that any lawyer practicing law in the country must have a license as a requirement, or else the lawyer will be barred and case dismissed in any court in the country when it is known that a lawyer in question is practicing illegally.

According to Cllr Gongloe, license for lawyer will be the foremost requirement for any lawyer to vote in the Saturday’s election.

On the issue of his trip to Gambia Gongloe stated that the trip was intended to review the draft law crafted by Gambia lawyers intended to set up a court to prosecute those responsible for allegedly committing atrocities during the reign of former Gambia President Yaya Jameh.

He lauded Liberian lawyers, adding that the Gambia draft in establishing that war crime court was similar to the one Liberian lawyers prepared and submitted to the 54^th Legislature which calls for the establishment of a war crime court in Liberia.

Monrovia – Cllr. Jallah Barbu believes his time has come. The former chair of the Law Reform Commission is among four candidates currently vying to replace learned human rights activist Tiawan Gongloe as head of the Liberia National Bar Association.

Besides Cllr. Barbu, Cllr. Abraham B. Sillah, Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie and Cllr. Alhaji Swalilo A. Sesay are all in the running for the influential post. But Barbu is confident that the experience and credibility he brings to the table will stand out. “I am very convinced that I am far ahead of the other candidates, and by the Grace of God, my colleagues of the Bar will make the reasonable judgement and elect me as their president. They certainly do not have any doubts in my ability to lead because they know me to be principle-minded, humble, accessible and result-oriented. As the adage goes, “who doesn’t love a good thing?” I am a good thing and I know my colleagues love me.”

The candidate for the LNBA leadership says he is pursuing the post generally referred to as the Bar for many reasons, all directed at providing responsible leadership, professional service, and holistic approach to engaging stakeholders in every sector of the Country. “My history with the Bar is replete with success story, both as a regular member and an official. I once served as General Secretary of the Bar.”

As President of the Bar, Cllr. Barbu says he will dedicate his services to the LNBA by committing to spend at least 60% of his weekly work hours at the headquarter of the Bar. “I will maintain an office in the Bar and will perform my Bar duties from there. Furthermore, I have the capacity and competence and I am fully available to lead the Bar; I hold an enviable record in both academia and professional life; I have a remarkable track record of achievements in Leadership; I am approachable, humble, and innovative; and I am a self-starter. My leadership experience encompasses working with people, no matter who they are, for the collective good of all.”

The learned lawyer says his first order of business if elected by his peers will be to establish cordial professional relationship with the other leaders. “This is even more compelling for the Bar whose members elect individuals to positions, rather than elect officials on a running-mate basis. For the first One Hundred (100) days of my leadership, my primary task will be to first strengthen the internal structure of the Bar.

Cllr. Barbu says he will engage other officials of the Bar for the purpose of developing a policy that encompasses their views about running the Bar and work to merge our platforms.

Cllr. Barbu says he plans within the first two weeks of his reign to focus on the secretariat which is the engine of the Bar’s administration. “The goal is to assess the capacity of the secretariat and undertake a needs assessment exercise to establish realistically the compelling needs of the Bar. That will assist us in matching the current situation with the existing five years plan for the purpose of revising and making it more achievable.”

The candidate says his platform focuses on the larger internal stakeholders of the Bar, that is, its members. “We will develop a suggestion box initiative to solicit the views and concerns of Bar members in whose interests we are elected. It is my hope that this suggestion box initiative will be perpetual but will be in phases. For example, the first 100 days is considered a phase. As suggestions are received, they will be collated by a dedicated team and accordingly, placed under particular categories developed from the needs assessments.”

Cllr. Barbu says if elected, he will also work toward addressing current and evolving concerns between the LNBA and the Judiciary. “I hold the view strongly that the LNBA is not and should never be opposed to the Judiciary; rather, it must be and remain the arm and voice of the Judiciary. My platform provides that the Bar will maintain its independence and integrity, but at the same time will engage the Judiciary respectfully. This is the problem solving and relationship building approach I bring to the Bar.”

Cllr. Barbu has vowed to also set up a user-friendly and standard record-keeping system if elected. “The current system is working, but its glitches are numerous. It would be very helpful to scan and digitize the documents/records of the Bar, and convert them to usable information technology assets that are easily accessible. This will enable a faster retrieval of information required by Bar members and partners. This also leads to efficiency and effectiveness in services provision.”

The candidate also expressed concerns over the construction of the Bar headquarters.”This is why it is within our plan for the first 100 days. A review of the project document, available resources, and the immediate phases to be completed be undertaken. Bar members will have value for their money.”

While looking to work on a 100-day implementation plan, Barbu says a high-level team headed by the president will be assessing the long range plan for the Bar. “Reconfiguring the website that will facilitate information management for both the National Bar and County Bars and establishing and forming partnerships with local and international organizations including the African and American Bar Associations; holistic review of the Bar’s Constitution to determine its responsiveness to current day realities.”

Acknowledging that the justice system in Liberia is challenged, Cllr. Barbu said there is a need to generate public trust and confidence. “Equally so, there is dare need to adequately furnish the system with the basic necessities including personnel and adequate compensation, logistical supplies The Justice System is not the Ministry of Justice; the Judiciary in fact is the bedrock of the system, therefore, judicial autonomy must be felt. No doubt, the Bar is a critical part of ensuring that the justice system and judicial autonomy must be prioritized if their impacts will be felt by the Liberian People. Issues confronting the system are issues for the Bar. For example, when actors in the system are aggrieved, such that their decision may cause public apprehension, and or suggest a system break down, the Bar should quickly intervene to advert any situation that may ultimately cause a breakdown. There is no prohibition on Bar members to step in to assist the Bar or the concerned parties to correct the problem. Unfortunately, some interventions are misinterpreted by the very Bar members. I am a victim of such misinterpretations.” He continued, “As a professional mediator, I was concerned about the decision of Prosecuting Attorneys to boycott Court appearances and when their threat became a reality, and there were no interventions, I engaged the Prosecution Attorney Association through their president, and offered to mediate. With his approval, I engaged a middle level authority of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and informed him about my intention to mediate and assist in having the Prosecutors return to Court. Upon both parties’ consent, the mediation took place at the Ministry of Justice where I was only an observer. The parties themselves resolved the problem complained of by the Prosecutors. Recently, a similar situation was brewing in the Public Defender’s office. As an arm of the Judiciary and because their president and a cross section of its members in a meeting requested me to intervene, I did so. Today, some lawyers are spreading far and wide, apparently as a propaganda machinery, rumors that I am a sponsored candidate of the Government of Liberia. The reality is they are spreading such misinformation simply because I am a force to reckon with in the upcoming elections. The point is, should the LNBA be in tension with the government? Or should lawyers wait for a collapse of the system and then everyone begins to treat the problem as an emergency? I do not think so. I am baffled that on the contrary these people lawyers have refused to acknowledged my enviable contribution to the Justice System including many of them at the Law School, placing significant role in Judicial programs, and most importantly working for the Bar either as member of a committee or chair of the committee, such as the ad-hoc committee that drafted the Art for the Establishment of a Special War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. Howbeit, this is one of the ways I will engage holistically, serve professionally and lead responsibly. Thus, I remain resolved in holistically engaging all stake holders where necessary, and where problems arise that affect members and associate members of the Bar, to mitigate and resolve issues before they escalate or get out of hands.”

Cllr. Barbu hails from Lofa County, Northern Liberia and has lived substantial portion of his life in Liberia although he has widely traveled to several African and other countries. He is married and blessed with children.

Dr. Jallah A. Barbu holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting with minor in Management from the University of Liberia; he also holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons.) degree from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia. Dr. Barbu earned his first graduate legal studies degree, Master of Laws and terminal legal studies degree, Doctor of Juridical Science from Indiana University Maurer School of Laws in the United States of America. He has earned certificates and diplomas in diverse professional areas including computer studies, management consultancy, alternative dispute resolution, intellectual property, gender equality advocacy and legislative drafting.

Dr. Barbu’s professional experience spans over thirty years in the fields of business, teaching, law, research and Publication.

In the field of business, he has worked as a private and public accountant/auditor, accounting and management consultant, banker, and farmer. He has worked with prestigious institutions including Citibank N.A. Monrovia; VOSCON, Inc., CPA; Deloitte & Touche Consulting, West Africa; and H. Richards & Company, CPAs.

In the field of law, he has practiced at all levels of Liberia’s court system including the Supreme Court whose Bar he has been a member of for at least fifteen years and has enjoyed the extra-ordinary privilege of serving on a number of occasions as amicus curiae of the Court and as a ranking member of the Bar Examination Committees for admission for Attorneys-At-Law and Counsellors-At-Law. In this capacity he has presented hundreds of law graduates in all of the Circuit Courts of Liberia for admission as Attorneys-At-Law to practice law in Liberia.

Dr. Barbu’s legal experience also encompasses managing and/or partnering in law offices in Liberia. In addition to serving as the director of the Institute for Constitutional Research, Policy and Strategic Development (ICRPSD), Dr. Barbu is partner and senior consulting consul of the Public Interest Law Office (PILO). Through its partial pro bono nature, the firm furthers Dr. Barbu’s voluntarily service records.

Dr. Barbu’s teaching experience includes teaching accounting in vocational schools and at the levels of associate and bachelor’s degree, including at the University of Liberia; membership on the faculty of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia where he taught several courses including constitutional law, maritime law, legal accounting, administrative law, moot court, African Law, Constitutional Design, and Legislative Drafting. His classroom experience also includes co-teaching as Assistant Instructor, with professors of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, United States of America.

As a researcher and publisher, Dr. Barbu has single handedly and along with other colleagues, published several articles and books. Publication of Liberia’s pioneering Commentary on the Meaning of the Liberian Constitution that covers critical fundamental rights issues involving economic and property rights, privacy, separation of powers and judicial powers, and, a constitutional law course book as a faculty fellow of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, as well as newspaper articles on law have been highly rated by scholars and readers around the world. Dr. Barbu has conducted several high profile and technical research and advisory works for local and international groups, including National Consultant for the Governance Commission and Land Commission, the Liberia Land Authority, the Center for National Documents and Records Agency, the Forestry Development Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP).

Dr. Barbu’s public service experience includes the Ministry of Finance, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Booker Washing Institute, and Vice Chairperson and later Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission of Liberia. He was privileged to lead the review and drafting of several legal instruments, most of which have been enacted into law; some of these laws are the Commercial Code and the Act Establishing the Commercial Court; the Act establishing the Liberia Revenue Authority; the Decent Work Act; the Freedom of Information Law; and, the Children’s Law.

Dr. Barbu’s public advisory services extend to the highest public offices of the Government of Liberia; that is, the offices of the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, and has been a member of the Special Presidential Review Committee, an independent body established by the President of Liberia to advise on the legality and economic benefits of concession agreements and contracts entered into by the Government.

MONROVIA – The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has rejected an invitation from Cllr. A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to partake in the National Anti-Corruption Conference scheduled for September 16-17.

The LNBA’s rejection letter was specific that the rejection was due to Cllr. Nwabudike being the host of the conference.

The Bar had expelled the LACC Chairman on the basis of fraud after it established that he ‘fraudulently’ presented himself as a Liberian to obtain membership with the Bar.

Cllr. Nwabudike’s alleged fraud came to light when he struggled to prove his nationality before the Liberian Senate when he was nominated to serve as chairman of the National Elections Commission.

It was the third time he was being nominated to a high-profile post by President George Weah.

Cllr. Nwabudike was first appointed to serve as Chairman of the Governance Commission, followed by his nomination and subsequent appointment to the LACC.

However, his apparent luck of slipping through the cracks came to an end when he was named to head the country’s electoral body ahead of a major senatorial election.

At his confirmation hearing, Cllr. Nwabudike, a Nigerian, presented documents that carried multiple dates of birth, including his passports.

This prompted the Liberia National Bar Association of which he was a member at the time to launch an investigation into the matter.

In its findings, the LNBA established the following:

On April 3, 2020, the Liberian Immigration Service wrote a letter informing the Grievance and Ethics Committee that it did not have any record on Cllr. Nwabudike legal residency status or naturalization in Liberia;

On April 6, 2020, the Committee obtained a clerk certificate from the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” Temple of Justice, informing it that it had no record about Cllr. Nwabudike’s residency or naturalization status;

From documents obtained from the Senate Confirmation hearings of Cllr. Nwabudike and the pleadings in the record of the Civil Law Court on a petition for declaratory judgment filed by him, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found the following inconsistent information:

A purported certificate of naturalization presented to the Liberian Senate by Cllr. Nwabudike showed that he was issued same by Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice on May 13, 1982, when in fact that court was called the People’s Criminal Court “B” during the regime of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), thereby creating more doubt;

A perusal of His various passports showed his birth dates as October 19, 1960, October 2, 1963, October 2, 1965 and October 2, 1969;

His 2004 Liberian Passport carries his date of birth as October 2, 1963 and his name as A. Nkwuka Ndubuisi Nwabudike, instead of the name that appears on the roster of the Liberian National Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar which is A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike;

His Liberian National Identification card carries his date of birth as October 2, 1969 and his name as A. Ndubuisi Nkwuka Nwabudike; and

His application for marriage certificate dated January 22, 1992, filled by himself in handwriting carries his name as A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, his date of birth as October 19, 1960 and his nationality as Nigerian;

The Bar then concluded: “In view of the information received from the Liberia Immigration Service and First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” that there is no record to support Cllr. Nwabudike’s claim of Liberian citizenship, the existence of information showing gross inconsistency in his dates of birth and names, as well as, the fact that in his application to the Marriage Registry, he declared in his own handwriting in 1992  that he was a Nigerian Citizen,  the only valid, logical and common sense conclusion that could be reached by the Grievance and Ethics Committee was that he became a member of the Liberian National Bar Association through fraudulent means. It is a well-settled common law principle that fraud vitiates everything.”

Ladies and Gentlemen of the press,

 The purpose of this press engagement is for the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) to inform the Liberian people through the press about its findings and decision on the critical issue of the Liberian citizenship of Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike and his controversial membership of the Liberian National Bar Association. You will recall that during the Senate confirmation hearings of Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike for the position of Chairman of the National Elections Commission, the issue of the validity of his Liberian citizenship was brought into question and his woeful failure to convince members of the Senate, dominated the hearing and became the single reason for his outright rejection by the Senate and subsequent withdrawal of his nomination by the President of Liberia.

 The doubt raised by the Senate over the citizenship of Cllr. Nwabudike by extension, cast a very dark cloud over the integrity and credibility of the Liberian National Bar Association and the Judiciary in evaluating applicants for admission into the legal profession. The LNBA felt duty bound to investigate and find out what the truth is relative to Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship. Therefore, the National Executive Council of the Liberian National Bar met and mandated the President of the Liberian National Bar Association to instruct the Grievance and Ethics Committee to launch a full scale investigation into this matter. As a professional body, the LNBA is under a duty at all times to constantly monitor and evaluate the moral and professional conduct of its members based on information acquired through complaints by individuals or through the public.

The Liberian National Bar Association wishes to emphasize that the legal profession is unique among the professions in Liberia because it is the only profession that is given protection by the Constitution of Liberia. Article 21(i) of the Constitution provides,”… There shall be absolute immunity from any government sanctions or interference in the performance of legal services as a Counsellor or Advocate…” Therefore, the LNBA is under a moral obligation to honor this protection provided by the Constitution of Liberia with the highest degree of integrity and credibility in order to prove to the people of Liberia that the legal profession is worthy of this unique protection. As the saying goes to whom much is given, much is expected. The LNBA therefore, could not ignore the issue of the citizenship status of one of its members when information provided by him created doubt over the authenticity and veracity of his claim of Liberian citizenship.

In order to ensure that the investigation is thorough and meticulous, the LNBA acted within the confines of legal speed by exhausting all means possible to provide Cllr. Nwabudike his right to due process. The LNBA is therefore pleased to give a brief summary of the process on how the LNBA proceeded in order as follows:

1. On Tuesday, March 31, 2020, the President of the LNBA wrote the Grievance Ethics Committee of the LNBA based upon a decision taken by the National Executive Council, mandating it to investigate and submit its report regarding the issue of the citizenship of Cllr. A. N. Nwabudike, given the level of public debate that had arisen over this issue and the cloud it had created over the integrity of the process of admission to the practice of law in Liberia; and
2. On April 2, 2020, the Grievance and Ethics Committee sent a letter to Cllr. A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, informing him of the mandate of the National Executive Council and inviting him to appear before the committee with all relevant documents in support of his claim of Liberian citizenship. The Committee immediately communicated with the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS), the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assisizes (B), the Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the Clerk of the Supreme Court, in order to independently acquire relevant information pertaining to the citizenship of Cllr. Nwabudike.

In view of the information received from the Liberia Immigration Service and First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” that there is no record to support Cllr. Nwabudike’s claim of Liberian citizenship, the existence of information showing gross inconsistency in his dates of birth and names, as well as, the fact that in his application to the Marriage Registry, he declared in his own handwriting in 1992  that he was a Nigerian Citizen,  the only valid, logical and common-sense conclusion that could be reached by the Grievance and Ethics Committee was that he became a member of the Liberian National Bar Association through fraudulent means. It is a well-settled common law principle that fraud vitiates everything.

Interestingly, on April 6, 2020,  Cllr. Nwabudike wrote the Grievance and Ethics Committee of the LNBA in which (1)he questioned the basis of the investigation, contending that there was no complaint before the LNBA “challenging his citizenship”; (2) that he had not violated any provision of the Code of Professional Ethics governing the conduct of lawyers; (3) he argued that citizenship is given by the Government of Liberia and it is only the Government of Liberia that can challenge or revoke it; and (4) erroneously argued that the issue of his citizenship was now moot, since the issue was not raised when he was admitted as attorney-at-law and subsequently as counselor-at-law. He however promised to meet with the Grievance and Ethics Committee, in order to provide it further clarification. He copied the Chief Justice of the Honorable Supreme Court and the Minister of Justice on his reply to the letter from the Grievance and Ethics Committee.

On April 13, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written a letter inviting him to appear before the Grievance and Ethics Committee on April 24, 2020, at 11:00AM, but he did not appear. Again, on April 27, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was sent a letter to appear before the same committee for investigation on April 30, 2020 at 11:00AM, but he did not appear. Further, on May 6, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written a letter to appear before the committee for a hearing on May 8, 2020, but he did not appear. On May 18, 2020, Cllr. Nwabudike was written to appear before the committee on May 27, 2020 for investigation, but he did not show up. Additionally, the Committee, invited him through two publications in the Inquirer Newspaper on May 11, 2020 and May 15, 2020 for appearance, but he failed to appear. These publications were also sent to Cllr. Nwabudike via DHL sent to him via DHL, yet failed, refused to appear, in complete disregard for the Liberian National Bar Association.

In view the defiant posture of Cllr. Nwabudike, as demonstrated by his deliberate failure and refusal to honor all the citations sent to him to appear for the inquiry that the Grievance and Ethics Committee was mandated by the National Executive Council to conduct, the Committee then proceeded to carry out its mandate by relying on independent sources for information on the validity of Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship. The following information was obtained by the Committee regarding Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship:

1. On April 3, 2020, the Liberian Immigration Service wrote a letter informing the Grievance and Ethics Committee that it did not have any record on Cllr. Nwabudike legal residency status or naturalization in Liberia;
2. On April 6, 2020, the Committee obtained a clerk certificate from the Clerk of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” Temple of Justice, informing it that it had no record about Cllr. Nwabudike’s residency or naturalization status;
3. From documents obtained from the Senate Confirmation hearings of Cllr. Nwabudike and the pleadings in the record of the Civil Law Court on a petition for declaratory judgment filed by him, the Grievance and Ethics Committee found the following inconsistent information:
4. A purported certificate of naturalization presented to the Liberian Senate by Cllr. Nwabudike showed that he was issued same by Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice on May 13, 1982, when in fact that court was called the People’s Criminal Court “B” during the regime of the People’s Redemption Council (PRC), thereby creating more doubt;
5. A perusal of His various passports showed his birth dates as October 19, 1960, October 2, 1963, October 2, 1965 and October 2, 1969;
6. His 2004 Liberian Passport carries his date of birth as October 2, 1963 and his name as A. Nkwuka Ndubuisi Nwabudike, instead of the name that appears on the roster of the Liberian National Bar Association and Supreme Court Bar which is A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike;
7. His Liberian National Identification card carries his date of birth as October 2, 1969 and his name as A. Ndubuisi Nkwuka Nwabudike; and
8. His application for marriage certificate dated January 22, 1992, filled by himself in handwriting carries his name as A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, his date of birth as October 19, 1960 and his nationality as Nigerian;

In view of the information received from the Liberia Immigration Service and First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” that there is no record to support Cllr. Nwabudike’s claim of Liberian citizenship, the existence of information showing gross inconsistency in his dates of birth and names, as well as, the fact that in his application to the Marriage Registry, he declared in his own handwriting in 1992  that he was a Nigerian Citizen,  the only valid, logical and common sense conclusion that could be reached by the Grievance and Ethics Committee was that he became a member of the Liberian National Bar Association through fraudulent means. It is a well-settled common law principle that fraud vitiates everything.

The committee therefore, recommended that Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike be  expelled, consistent with Article II Section IX of the Constitution of the Liberian National Bar Association, which provides, “Any member may, after inquiry, be disciplined by means of suspension or expulsion from membership of the Association for proven gross misconduct in his relations to the Association or in his professional undertaking upon two thirds votes of the Membership of the National Executive Council.” At a meeting of the National Executive Council held at 3:00PM, on yesterday, May 18, 2020 here at the headquarters of the Liberian National Bar Association, the Grievance and Ethics Committee’s recommendation that Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike be expelled was approved by a vote of two thirds members of the National Executive Council of the Liberian National Bar Association. Hence, Cllr. A. N. Nwabudike is hereby expelled from the membership of the Liberian National Bar Association. His name is hereby stricken from the roster of the membership of the Liberian National Bar Association.

This decision will be shortly communicated to the President of the Republic of Liberia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia and all courts throughout the Republic of Liberian.

I  Thank you.

MONROVIA – After four successive interrogations, each lasting over four hours, Ms. Felicia O. Toe, says the National Security Agency (NSA) continues to psychologically torture, harass and intimidate her over suspicion that she leaked information on COVID-19 test results from the National Reference Laboratory to the public.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

In a communication to the Chairman of the Independent Human Rights Commission, a copy of which FrontPageAfrica has obtained, Ms. Toe stated that the NSA continues harassment has become life-threatening and called for the intervention of the Commission.

She stated in the communication: “Honorable commissioner, I am being tortured emotionally and I am undergoing intimidation and harassment without being told what crime I have committed. My phones, email account and social media accounts were searched without any incriminating evidence been found against me. Yet, I am still being subjected to this emotional torture and feel this is a violation of my rights because I have not done anything outside of my duties and terms of reference as a health worker.

“Therefore, I am seeking the intervention of your office into the above-mentioned complaint that I view as life-threatening. In the same vein, I am also copying this communication to the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Liberia National Bar Association, the United States Embassy, the European Union, ECOWAS, and the World Health Organization. I am available for further inquiry.”

Ms. Toe has worked with the Ministry of Health and assigned with the Montserrado County Health Team as a deputy County Surveillance Officer for the past five years. Upon the discovery of COVID-19 in Liberia, she served on the Montserrado County COVID-19 response team as a supervisor of the Case investigation Pillar.

She explained that on April 29, 2020 at about 1:30 pm, the Montserrado County Health Officer, Dr. Yatta Wapoe informed her through a phone call, that the Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), Dr. Mosoka Fallah wanted to speak with her.

She stated that she then called Dr. Fallah and he requested for a meeting at NPHIL head office.

“Honorable commissioner, I am being tortured emotionally and I am undergoing intimidation and harassment without being told what crime I have committed. My phones, email account and social media accounts were searched without any incriminating evidence been found against me. Yet, I am still being subjected to this emotional torture and feel this is a violation of my rights because I have not done anything outside of my duties and terms of reference as a health worker.”

– Ms. Felicia Toe stated in her communication to the Independent Human Rights Commission

Ms. Toe: “I did not know the nature of the meeting but assumed it was related to the COVID-19 response, so I asked two other members of the case investigation team to accompany me. During the meeting with Dr. Fallah and another gentleman (introduced as an NSA agent), we were accused of leaking COVID-19 test results to the public. The NSA officer later singled me out by asking me if I was Felicia Dweh (my Facebook name), which I affirmed. He demanded that we submit our cell phones to him and we did. The meeting ended and we were told that the NSA would invite us to another meeting for further investigation.”

She disclosed that two days later, Mr. Sam Saryon, deputy director of the NSA called her and requested her to report to the NSA office with her lawyer for investigation. The investigation, according to her, centered around her scope of work, political affiliation and her association with the press.

“Since then, I have had over 4 successive interrogation sessions, each lasting over 4 hours, where I have given a written statement, been threatened to be jailed, had my finger prints and mug shots taken and even asked to take a lie detector test. My phones were confiscated from me without any search and seizure notice and after 7 days were returned to me with one of my phones being damaged,” she stated in the letter.

Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Francis Kateh in an interview with FrontPageAfrica last week confirmed the investigation of health workers and described as “unhealthy” the alleged disclosure of Covid-19 results of key government officials to the public.

“Some investigations are going on. To what degree the investigations have gone, I don’t know. Maybe after the investigations, it may come over to us. We all have to be very mindful of the kind of information that we put out, especially when it has the tendency to affect the public good,” he said.

He maintained that the release of unofficial information to the public during the fight against a pandemic has the propensity of stirring confusion in the country.