Monrovia — Recent public utterance by the President of the Liberia Bar Association (LNBA) has not only created internal wrangling within the leadership and among members, but has also brought the legal community to gross public disrepute as the reputation of that noble legal body is under scrutiny.

By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway

It can be recalled that while addressing a well-attended news conference in Monrovia Tuesday, the LNBA, through its President Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, accused the Supreme Court of Liberia for overstepping its authority by intervening in the leadership dispute at the House of Representatives. Situated at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, the Supreme Court of Liberia is the final arbiter of justice in the country.

However, the LNBA’s President claimed that the recent ruling by the Court that legitimizes embattled Speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa’s stewardship of the House, while at the same time nullifying Koon’s, was in violation of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers.

He contended that legislative disputes such as the removal or reinstatement of the Speaker fall squarely within the Legislature’s domain.

But these assertions by the Bar’s President have been opposed not by many legal luminaries, but also by his deputy – Vice President Cllr. F. Juah Lawson, who expressed serious opposition to this position, and went on to distance herself from it.

“I’m not going to own that statement because that statement is that of the President of the LNBA as an individual, and not the LNBA,” she said in a message to FrontPageAfrica. “I advised the President about getting to the Executive Committee… but he did not listen.”

Accordingly, the disagreements within the LNBA have come to the public space with members tearing their President (Cllr. Varmah) apart for unilaterally dragging their legal community into the mud on perceived account of personal aggrandizement.

Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, a member of the Supreme Court Bar, described the statement as being legally flawed, misguided, deeply troubling, and inconsistent with the ethical responsibilities of the Bar in safeguarding the rule of law.

Cllr. Massaquoi, who is also one of the lawyers representing the legal interest of embattled Speaker Koffa, warned the Bar Association against public commentary on issues currently awaiting re-argument before the Supreme Court, because according to him, it raises significant concerns about contempt and the potential violation of the sub judice rule.

This conduct, the renowned Liberian lawyer believes, undermines the integrity and independence of the judicial process.

“Unfortunately, the LNBA’s Statement seeks purposely to undermine and denigrate the Supreme Court. This principle is implicit in Liberia’s commitment to due process and the independence of the Judiciary under the 1986 Constitution, notably Article 21(h) – which guarantees due process in all proceedings before any tribunal, while Article 65 – vesting judicial power in the Supreme Court and other subordinate courts and emphasizing the independence of the Judiciary,” stated Cllr. Massaquoi, referencing Republic v. Sieh et al., 29 LLR 87 (1981), in which the Supreme Court warned against acts which seek to bring the Court or its proceedings into public disrepute or influence its decisions “extra judicially.”

In addition, Cllr. Massaquoi cited Rule 15 of the Code for the Moral and Ethical Conduct of Lawyers in Liberia (adopted by the Supreme Court), which bars lawyers from making “extrajudicial statements” that could materially prejudice ongoing adjudications.

The renowned Liberian lawyer propounded that matters under re-argument are not subject to parallel adjudication in the press or public square.

“The Supreme Court Rules (Revised) and controlling precedent dictate the proper avenue for challenging a ruling, must be a motion for re-argument, not a public editorial. All legal actors—especially officers of the Court and arms of the Court—must respect the finality and sanctity of judicial forums.”

He urged the Bar to model restraint and respect for the judicial process.

“I therefore call on the LNBA and its leadership to refrain from public commentary on the pending case until the Supreme Court makes a final determination; this is how civilized and well-governed legal institutions behave. A continued violation of the sub judice rule risks contempt proceedings and undermines the moral authority of our esteemed Bar, which is currently at its lowest ebb of leadership.”

Also relying on the instance case: C. Abayomi Cassell, 14LLR391 (May 19, 1961), Cllr. Massaquoi maintained: “The Supreme Court will punish for contempt any deceptive practice which might have the tendency to reflect discreditably upon the judicial branch of the government, or which might tend to belittle it for its decisions, or which might embarrass it in the performance of its duties, or which might show disrespect to it or its justices, or which might defy its authority.”

Monrovia – The Liberian legal community is in the throes of a credibility crisis after a controversial statement by Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), sparked an internal revolt and sharpened questions over the Bar’s political neutrality. 

By Selma Lomax, Selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com, Willie N. Tokpah, willie.tokpah@frontpageafricaonline.com 

At the heart of the storm is Varmah’s assertion, in an April 29 press release, that the Court overstepped its authority by intervening in the leadership dispute within the House of Representatives.

According to Varmah, the ruling violates the separation of powers and political question doctrines, arguing that legislative disputes such as the removal or reinstatement of the Speaker fall squarely within the Legislature’s domain.

“This is simply a violation of the Political Question Doctrine,” the statement read, further warning that the Court’s decision risked inflating judicial power at the expense of legislative autonomy.

The LNBA’s objection also targeted the Supreme Court’s reading of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution, particularly its interpretation of quorum and Speaker Koffa’s presence during legislative sessions. 

The Bar insisted that “the designation of the Speaker as the sole presiding officer, even in the absence of a quorum, appears to overlook the procedural flexibility necessary for legislative operations,” and added that “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.”

But while Varmah’s statement attempted to strike a constitutional tone, it failed to unify the Bar. Instead, it exposed deep internal divisions and a growing unease about political bias within Liberia’s premier legal body.

The first blow came from within. LNBA Vice President Cllr. F. Juah Lawson openly dissociated herself from the statement and questioned its legitimacy. “I’m not going to own that statement because that statement is that of the President of the LNBA as an individual, and not the LNBA,” she said in a message to FrontPageAfrica. “I advised the President about getting to the Executive Committee… but he did not listen.”

That internal split was compounded by Varmah’s political history. A former Unity Party (UP) legislative candidate in Gbarpolu County who ran on the party’s ticket in 2017, Varmah’s critics argue that his political loyalties are now coloring his leadership at the Bar. The charge of partisanship, once whispered, has now become public and explicit.

Cllr. Moriah Yeakula-Kporpor, a prominent voice in the legal community, was especially scathing. “The statement read today is not only disappointing but ridiculous and squarely partisan,” she declared. “The President of the Bar must do the honorable thing and resign if he cannot separate his political commitment to the Unity Party from his duties.” She accused Varmah of attempting to transform the Bar into what she mockingly called the “LRBA—Liberian Ruling Bar Association.”

Yeakula-Kporpor, who supported Varmah’s candidacy for Bar President, expressed disappointment over what she sees as his failure to rise above politics. “While we do not fault him for his political affiliations and ambition,” she said, “we expect that he would stop pandering to his Political Party, prioritize the sanctity of the position he currently holds as President of the Bar, and uphold the Constitution and respect for the Rule of Law.”

Varmah’s critics argue that his attempt to shield the Legislature from judicial scrutiny is not only legally flawed but also politically dangerous. Atty. Armah Zolu Jallah, former Senate Pro Tempore, pointed out that even political bodies remain subject to constitutional review. “The separation of powers does not mean one branch is immune from legal scrutiny. The judiciary must intervene where actions violate the Constitution,” he noted, emphasizing that constitutional checks and balances must not be eroded under the guise of political independence.

Legal practitioner Saifuah Mai Gray also weighed in, warning that the LNBA’s suggestion for an independent mediation body to resolve the House dispute undermines the authority of the judiciary. “Liberia is a country of laws, not negotiations,” she said. “When the Supreme Court speaks within its constitutional authority, its ruling is binding on all, including other branches and professional bodies.” 

Gray cautioned that setting aside judicial rulings in favor of dialogue creates “dangerous precedence” and compromises the ethical obligation of lawyers to respect the finality of Supreme Court decisions.

The fallout from Varmah’s remarks signals a deeper institutional crisis. A senior lawyer, speaking anonymously, described the situation bluntly: “The Bar cannot afford to be seen as an extension of any political party. If we lose that line, we lose the very foundation of legal independence in Liberia.”

Ultimately, the controversy is more than a legal squabble over constitutional interpretation — it is a test of whether Liberia’s professional institutions can resist political capture and preserve their integrity. For Cllr. Varmah, the fallout is not just reputational; it may define the future of his leadership — and the independence of the Liberian National Bar Association itself.

Ganta, Nimba County – The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has made history by electing a gender-sensitive leadership team to steer the association for the next three years. The elections, held on November 30, 2024, during the association’s annual convention in Ganta, Nimba County, mark a significant step toward gender equality in the LNBA’s leadership structure.

By: Victoria G. Wesseh

The new leadership comprises two women and two men, including Cllr. Bonor Varmah as President-elect. Cllr. Varmah, the outgoing Secretary General of the association, will be joined by Cllr. F. Juah Lawson as Vice President-elect, Cllr. Elisha Forkeyoh as Secretary General-elect, and Atty. Yemi Shobayo-Williams as Treasurer-elect.

The elected officials will officially assume their roles in January 2024 and lead the association for a three-year term.

Upon his election, Cllr. Varmah described the outcome as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

“This is a victory for democracy, a victory for the rule of law in Liberia,” he remarked.

Cllr. Varmah pledged to collaborate with all three branches of government to ensure the rule of law is upheld, although he did not elaborate on specific strategies.

“We are going to work with the Supreme Court, the Executive, and the Legislature to ensure adherence to the rule of law in our country,” he emphasized.

He also promised to focus on the welfare of LNBA members and to pursue legal reforms in collaboration with the Supreme Court where necessary.

Cllr. Juah Lawson, the Vice President-elect, vowed to support the president-elect and the other leaders in their efforts to uphold the rule of law and strengthen the association.

In addition to electing new leaders, the LNBA adopted a resolution to expand access to justice nationwide. This includes providing pro-bono legal services to underserved communities as part of the association’s commitment to upholding integrity and ensuring justice for all Liberians.

The convention concluded with a renewed dedication to integrity and justice, setting the tone for a progressive and inclusive chapter in the LNBA’s history.

Monrovia — The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) and a Liberian- owned company, the JES Engineering, have signed an Exchange of Notes Agreement, worth US$121,000 for the completion of the first-floor of its four-storey multipurpose headquarters along the Tower Hill Community, Roberts International Airport Highway.

By Victoria G Wesseh 

The agreement was signed on Tuesday, October 15, by the LNBA’s President Sylvester D. Rennie, and the General Manager of JES, Mr. Joseph S. Dennis, in the presence of the LNBA’s project manager, Cllr. Bobby Livingstone.

The signing ceremony, held at the LNBA’s office on Ashmun Street, was also witnessed by staffers of the Bar and JES.

According to Cllr.  Rennie, the project is fully funded from dues and other fees collected from its membership.

Delving into the selection process of JES Engineering, Rennie noted that they followed a competitive bidding process. “We announced a bid about three months  ago for contractors to express interest. We were able to get a company that is 100 per cent Liberian owned to carry out our project,” Cllr.  Rennie said.

Rennie added that the contract for the pending project will run  for eight months, where the first-floor will be completed.

Rennie lauded Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe and  Cllr. Moses Paigar, both of whom  administrations have contributed to the project.

But, according to the LNBA’s President,  his leadership, as part of its promises, has seen it necessary to have the project completed within the next eight months for official use by members of the organization.

“Once it’s completed, our leadership will go down in history as the first to be completing the first-floor,” Cllr. Rennie maintained.

While the project is ongoing, Rennie disclosed that they have raised the funds for the completion of the first-floor.

The LNBA President has attributed the delay in implementing the project to a lack of funding over the years, as well as, the previous contracting Liberian company, GeoScope Limited.

“We were compelled to terminate the contract with GeoScope because the company defaulted on the project,” Rennie said. He added that plan is underway to seek legal redress against GeoScope.

However, he said with the sound financial policy currently being put in place, a substantial amount has been collected to implement the project.

“I will make sure to complete the first-floor before my tenure comes to an end,” Rennie vowed. The LNBA’s leadership is scheduled for November 2024, which disenfranchises Rennie from seeking re-election due to a term clause in the bar’s constitution.

For his part, JES’ General Manager, Dennis assured the LNBA’s membership that his company will complete the project within the eight months agreed scheduled.

Monrovia- The president of Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie, has lamented about the absence of public defense, who are lawyers representing poor people accused of committing both felonious and non-felonious crimes across the country from the Magisterial Courts.

By Victoria G Wesseh

Cllr.  Rennie says the ” Bar also takes cognizance that the recall of Public Defenders from the Magisterial Courts has also increased the presence of quacks, who are posing to party litigants as lawyers around those Courts.

” They make representations in Court as next of kin; and when these cases go on appeal to the Circuit Courts; they are limited and not qualified to represent the party litigant because they are not lawyers, thereby depriving the ordinary party litigant of their right to appeal. ” Cllr. Rennie said, at the opening of the October Term of the Supreme Court


Rennie said, the  essence of going to Court is to get relief, and if said relief cannot be acquired because of the lack of legal representation, then access to justice cannot be realized.

In this light, Rennie noted, the Bar is proposing to Your Honors that it is prepared to sit with the Supreme Court, to arrive at an amicable solution, so as to ensure the realization of adherence to the Rule of Law and Access to Justice.

“The Bar also says that this is also intended to see how a workable solution can be reached, as its Legal Aid Program does not have the required manpower and resources to cater to the numerous concerns of our citizens and community dwellers to aid in the representation of indigenes in the Magisterial Courts,” Rennie maintained.




According to Cllr. Rennie,  as a Bar, “we applaud the visit of members of the Supreme Court Bench to our various Magisterial Courts in their areas of supervision, in order to have a firsthand account of the activities of these Courts, and ensure that the overall Judicial performances of the staff and employees are adhered to in delivering services to the Public. “

“However, we must note that these Magisterial Courts are being operated under extremely difficult conditions, which make it difficult for them to perform the needed tasks. Nevertheless, these conditions should not serve as the reasons for their failure to implement their judicial duties,” Rennie suggested



He further said that the Bar says that for the last two (2) weeks, it has received requests and appeals from members of the communities within Montserrado County, requesting the Bar to provide pro bono lawyers to represent them in the Magisterial Courts.

“,Since most of them are not legally inclined, do not have money and there are no Public Defenders in the said Courts. Said requests are made on a daily basis,” Rennie maintained.
He added that while it is true that our law provides, under Section 1.8 of the Civil Procedure Law, as to who may represent a party, citizens who are non-lawyers, who do not have the proper understanding of the law and our legal system, stand to be at a disadvantage in instances where they are faced with a lawyer representing the adversary party against them.

“Because these lawyers are familiar with the practice and procedures, while they as ordinary citizens do not understand the procedures in the Courts,” Rennie said.

Rennie added that their fear is that they will be disadvantaged and in the event these cases are ruled against them, they lack the knowledge to appeal against the decisions of the Magisterial Courts to the Circuit Courts, owing to the time frame required by law.

Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai would perhaps have himself to blame if the offices of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia weren’t established as anticipated by Executive Order #131.

By Victoria G Wesseh 

This is because the president’s 21-day timeline issued on August 15,2024 to the vetting committee responsible to recruit and select the principal administrator of the War and Economic Crimes Court, expired since September 5, without any evidence that the commitment has complied with the president’s mandate, according to a source close to the committee.

“Since then, we have only met once.  Each time we call the head of the committee and Justice Minister and Attorney General, Cllr.  Oswald Tweh, at the meeting, he will tell us,   “I will call you back,” the source said.

Minister Tweh, however, couldn’t be reached for response as his phone was switched off.

The War and Economic Crimes Court office was established under Executive Order #131 to put in place the modalities and mechanisms to ensure the creation of a Special War Crimes Court for Liberia and an Anti-Corruption Court.

Before the setting up of the committee, Boakai revoked the appointment of Jonathan Massaquoi as Executive Director of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) barely a month after the 177th Independent Day Orator, Dr. Robtel Neajai Pailey, termed the appointment as dubious and urged the President to reconsider the appointment. 

Like Pailey, many other critics, including the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) advocated for a restart of the appointment procedure, citing concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation that would have ensured the involvement and confidence of Liberia’s extensive victim community.

Other committee members included Mr. George Kingsley – National Civil Society Council, Mr. Adama K. Dempster – Human Rights CSO, Cllr. T. Dempster Brown – Independent Human Rights Commission, and Sylvester D. Rennie – President, Liberia National Bar Association, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia.

Also, the Director General of the Cabinet, Hon. Nathaniel Kwabo, Cllr. Cora Hare-Konuwa , Deputy Minister for Codification, Ministry of Justice and the Special Assistant to the Minister of Justice, Atty. Siaffa Bahn Kemoka. 

The Office of War and Economic Crimes Courts is to craft a blueprint for Liberia’s transitional justice program, seen by experts as critical for the country’s long-term peace and stability. 

It can be recalled that in May 2024, President Boakai signed Executive Order #131, to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court, as a move to prosecute major actors in Liberia’s 14 years of civil unrest.

 At the signing ceremony, the president stressed that his government remains committed to its stand against injustice and impunity.

President Boakai said there is no doubt that the move will go a long way in helping to restore respectability and integrity to Liberia.

“In our resolve to Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia, we urge all to lend this noble effort all the support it needs so that, once and for all, we can keep our eyes on the forward march, and not remain stuck in the ugly memories of our unfortunate past,” he said.

Monrovia -A one-year project to sensitize, encourage and promote legal protection for the vulnerable and and indigent citizens through the provision of pro-bono legal aid services was launched on Friday, September 27, by the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

By Victoria G Wesseh 

The project seeks to provide legal aid services for the most egregious cases to reduce docket overcrowding and pre-trial detention in Montserrado County.

It will educate citizens on how to access the LNBA Pro Bono Legal Aid Services and encourage indigents to take advantage of the opportunity to access justice, according to organizers.

Speaking at the launch, LNBA’s President Sylvester Rennie, disclosed that the Bar signed a grant agreement with the UNDP in the amount of US$USD 120,159.77.

“The overall purpose of this grant is to reduce the number of pretrial detainees in Montserrado County and improve access to justice for all Liberians,” Cllr.  Rennie indicated.

Cllr. Rennie put the estimated figure of pretrial detainees at 71.2% of the overall prison population.

 “It is worth noting that systemic weaknesses in the justice system clearly undermine access to justice and due process,” emphasized Rennie.

Rennie said, it is a reality that crimes are committed on a daily basis, which are violations of the law. 

“But when these offenders are arrested and taken to the law, in most instances, they are unable to meet the needed provisions to secure their release and are therefore incarcerated,” Rennie noted. “Even those who commit crimes that are non-bailable, are also incarcerated.”

He emphasized that most of these detainees at various prison facilities in Liberia are pre-trial detainees, which constitute 71% of the overall number of detainees in the Country.

As a means of having some of our prisons decongested, the LNBA and the UNDP with funding from the International Narcotics & Law Enforcement (INL) signed a grant agreement for the decongestion of pretrial detainees at the Monrovia Central prison, according to Cllr. Rennie.

He expressed gratitude to the UNDP for the collaboration.

The LNBA observed in Liberia, pre-trial detention is unfairly managed and notoriously lengthy, with an estimated 71.2% of detainees subjected to extended or prolonged pre-trial detention, and even when cases go to trial, only a small number of cases are tried each year, thus undermining equitable access to justice.

Monrovia – The President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has debunked reports it orchestrated the removal of Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi as executive director of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).

By Victoria G. Wesseh, Victoria.wesseh@frontpageafricaonline.com

Several members of the Liberia National Bar Association have voiced their deep disappointment following the association’s leadership endorsement of a campaign that resulted in President Joseph Boakai’s withdrawal of Jonathan T. Massaquoi as the Executive Director of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court.

The members described the leadership’s action as a “betrayal” of the association’s core principles and values, stressing that the LNBA should have supported Massaquoi, a fellow member.

The LNBA President Cllr. Sylvester Rennie had claimed that President Boakai’s decision broke with a longstanding tradition in the judiciary by appointing officials, including Massaquoi, without subjecting them to a vetting process by the Bar.

Cllr. Rennie criticized this move as a significant departure from the tradition of the executive branch consulting the Liberian legal community on such judicial appointments.

“The tradition is that, where there are positions within the judicial or justice sectors, the Bar is normally consulted to conduct a vetting process because we know our lawyers,” Rennie said. Despite Massaquoi being a lawyer and a member of the LNBA, Rennie emphasized that the Bar should have been involved in the vetting process.

Cllr. Rennie further stated, “We know their capacities. We do the vetting and then send a shortlist to you. Although the 1986 Constitution gives President Boakai the authority to make nominations, Rennie pointed out that the Bar had drafted the bill to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court and presented it to the Legislature in 2021.”

“The Bar’s role has not changed in its quest for the formation of war and economic crimes courts for Liberia,” Rennie added.

Continuing, Cllr. Rennie added, “The Bar will work with all lawyers. But the Bar remains an organization that respects itself and must be respected by everyone, just as our international partners respect us.”

For his part, the former LNBA President Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe has also condemned the process that led to Massaquoi’s appointment.

“There should have been wider consultations with civil society, victims, and the Bar,” Gongloe stated.

“It is the first time in our history that we have done this, so it really matters. It has nothing to do with presidential authority or his qualifications. We require the support of the wider society. Conversations with civil society were not held. It’s shocking. In the end, it’s the victims who need to feel closure on this”, Cllr. Gongloe asserted.

Cllr. Gongloe stated that if the appointment was not embraced by victims, it could lead to future conflicts.

At the same time, Cllr. Rennie and Cllr. Gongloe has cited several reasons for their opposition to Massaquoi’s appointment, including concerns over his previous representation of Agnes Taylor, the wife of convicted former Liberian President Charles Taylor, and other individuals involved in war and economic crimes in Liberia.

However, the aggrieved LNBA members denounced the actions of Cllr. Rennie and Cllr. Gongloe, characterizing them as a “betrayal” and a departure from the “core values” upon which the association was founded.

They claimed that the association had “dramatically changed” and was no longer the “champion of the constitution” it once was.

Meanwhile, FPA gathered reports, which have not been independently verified, that the LNBA initially lobbied with President Boakai to nominate its National Secretary General, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, instead of Massaquoi.

When contacted for comment, Cllr. Sylvester Rennie dismissed the allegations as unfounded.

“It is very cheap to say that,” Cllr. Rennie debunked, referring to the accusations that he opposed Massaquoi’s appointment.

He noted that the Free Press Association had previously reported on the criticisms of Massaquoi’s appointment by Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe and Cllr. Jerome J. Verdier.

Cllr. Rennie claimed that the LNBA had several meetings with international partners who questioned whether President Boakai had consulted the LNBA regarding the formation of the War Crimes Court.

“We never had any input,” Cllr. Rennie stated, adding that the LNBA continues to insist that it must be consulted on such important matters.

Cllr. Rennie, however, expressed frustration over the situation, saying, “I must lie to say I see President Boakai when I did not see Boakai. If he considers that, that is his business.”

He reiterated that the LNBA had no input in the decision and emphasized the need for the Bar to be involved in judicial appointments, referencing the recent appointment of Associate Justice Ceaineh Clinton Johnson as an example of proper procedure.

The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has said its unwavering and unequivocal stance on enhancing a pragmatic Rule of Law Regime in West Africa has been validated and acknowledged by the recent overwhelming election of its national secretary general, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah as the next vice president of the West African Bar Association (WABA).

By Victoria G Wesseh, contributing writer

The election of Cllr. Varmah took place in Cotonou, Benin Republic. 

The Annual Conference of WABA in partnership with the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) took place from June 25 to 27.

The objective of the conference was to adopt the amended constitution of WABA and elect members of WABA’s governing bodies.

The LNBA in a release issued on Tuesday, July 2, says, various Bar Associations in the sub-region, as well as the WABA Secretariat, UNOWAS and partners from the United Nations system, took part in the annual conference.

During the conference, the Bar says, Bar Associations and Legal practitioners exchanged views on a variety of subjects, including the role of the lawyers and of an organization such as WABA in ensuring a democratic and

peaceful society free from tension and conflict.

At the end of the proceedings, the participants adopted the new WABA constitution and elected for two-year term, a new executive committee drawn from the three language groups of the sub-region, including Francophone,

Anglophone and Lusophone. 

The Malian Bar President, Ousmane Bouba Traore was elected as President, the National Secretary General of the LNBA, Cllr. Varmah as vice president, while Adesina Adegbite as WABA’s secretary general among others.

The West African Bar Association (WABA), which brings together

leading members of Bar Councils and lawyers in the sub-region, was created in 2004 in response to human rights and rule of law challenges that undermine efforts to promote democratic consolidation, good governance, sustainable peace and development in the region. 

Since its inception, the Association’s primary role has been to mobilize Bar Associations and legal practitioners to play a proactive role in the development of legal systems and institutions in the region and to contribute significantly to efforts to deepen democratic governance through respect for the

rule of law and human rights.

In a related development, LNBA’s national president, Cllr. Sylvester D. Rennie, has returned to the country from the United States of America, after successfully participating in the Justice and the Rule of Law Global Forum, organized by the World Bank’s Governance Global practice which brought together over 200 partners,

leaders, and practitioners from government and judiciaries, the private sector, academia, civil society and other international development organizations working in areas of justice and rule of law.

At the meeting in Washington DC, he assured the World Bank of the LNBA’s continuous collaboration with the Bank to enhance global rule of law.

The LNBA says that the cost for the two trips to Washington DC, USA and Cotonou, Benin Republic, were fully sponsored by the World Bank and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).

The LNBA, an umbrella organization for all lawyers in the country, on June 19, 2020, unanimously voted to expel Cllr. Nwabudike from the practice of law for allegedly obtaining fraudulent Liberian citizenship, in consistent with Article 2 Section IX of its Constitution.

“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,” the Bar stated.

Article II Section IX of the Constitution of the Liberian National Bar Association 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.”

However, the Supreme Court, in its reversal decision, said “that the suspension imposed on Petitioner A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike is hereby lifted, and his status as a Counselor-at-Law and as a legal practitioner in all courts of the Republic of Liberia is restored. Further, his right to obtain a license to practice as a lawyer is hereby reinstated, to enable him to pursue his professional career with all rights and privileges appertaining thereto. The clerk of this court is mandated to inform the petitioner, by and thru his lawyer, of this judgment. The clerk of this court is further mandated to inform the Association of Trial Judges of Liberia and the Liberian National Bar Association of this judgment. And it is hereby so ordered.”

The priests lifted the punishment and restored his status as a Counsellor-at-Law and as a legal practitioner in all courts of the Republic of Liberia.

On February 15, 2023, the former LACC Boss obtained Liberian citizenship after giving several accounts about his date of birth and obtaining Liberian citizenship before the Liberian Senate.

Announcing him as a citizen on February 9, 2023, at the Criminal Court “B” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Resident Judge Karboi K. Nuta said after Cllr. Nwabudike met all the requirements and proper procedures of the court, he was announced as a full-fledged Liberian citizen with all rights and privileges appertaining.

Judge Nuta said after Cllr. Nwabudike took the Oath of Allegiance of the Republic of Liberia, thus relinquishing all allegiance of Nigeria from where his father came from; the former LACC boss under oath to bear arms for Liberia when required by law to uphold the laws and Constitution of Liberia.

It can be recalled that Cllr. Nwabudike filed a petition before the Supreme Court which resulted in the Court inquiring from the Minister of Justice Frank Musa Dean, requesting an opinion relative to his (Cllr. Nwabudike’s) petition for the affirmation of his allegiance to the Republic of Liberia as a citizen.

Cllr. Nwabudike stated in the complaint that his father who died in A.D. 2008 was a naturalized Liberian citizen and he had been born by his father and mother after the naturalization of his father, requested the High Court to be permitted to be administered the oath of allegiance as a citizen of Liberia.

After thorough investigation by the Minister of Justice, the Minister submitted his opinion in which he stated in his conclusion inter Alia that he has determined “A. Ndubusi Nwabudike is eligible to apply for a certificate of citizenship Nunc Pro Tunc, consistent with section 21.31(2) of the Alien and Nationality Laws of Liberia.”

Considering his opinion, the Supreme Court mandated the court to administer the oath of allegiance to Nwabudike, since, in fact, the Ministry of Justice through the Attorney General had indicated that he had done that which is required by law to permit him to be administered the oath of allegiance in keeping with the law.