Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to speak at its annual conference.
Falana accused Weah’s administration of weakening the judiciary in Liberia and questioned why the former president was invited to speak to Nigerian lawyers about democracy and the rule of law.
Falana spoke on Monday, a day after Weah delivered the keynote address at the opening of the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The senior lawyer urged the NBA to stop inviting African leaders whom he described as dictators to address its conferences.
Falana claimed that during Weah’s presidency from 2018 to 2024, Liberia’s judiciary was seriously weakened, forcing some citizens to seek justice through the ECOWAS Court.
He referred to a case involving the Mandingo people of Liberia, whose properties were allegedly taken during the country’s civil war.
According to Falana, the ECOWAS Court ruled in favour of the affected people, but Weah’s administration failed to enforce the judgment.
He said the current Liberian government under President Joseph Boakai had now set up a committee to enforce the judgment.
Falana also referred to the case of an associate justice of Liberia’s Supreme Court who, according to him, was removed from office without proper justification.
He said the case was taken to the ECOWAS Court, which cancelled the dismissal and awarded the judge $200,000. Falana alleged that Weah’s government refused to obey the court’s decision to reinstate the judge.
He therefore questioned the decision to invite Weah to speak to Nigerian lawyers about democracy and the rule of law.
Falana also accused Weah’s administration of failing to adequately address drug trafficking in Liberia.
He alleged that drug trafficking became a major problem in the country during Weah’s time in office and referred to the recent arrest and trial of Liberia’s former vice president, Edith Gongloe-Weh, over alleged drug trafficking.
Falana also criticised Weah over his decision to travel to Qatar during the 2022 World Cup to watch his son, Timothy Weah, who represented the United States.
He urged the NBA to consider inviting African leaders whom he believes have shown stronger commitment to democracy and good governance.
Meanwhile, Weah, during his keynote address at the NBA conference, called on lawyers to remain impartial when administering justice.
The former Liberian president said countries need an independent judiciary supported by a fearless legal profession.
He said democracy is tested every day and cannot survive through the strength of individuals alone, but through strong institutions.
Weah also warned that governments that claim to be democratic but engage in corruption, interfere with judges and weaken the rule of law pose a serious threat to democracy.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who declared the conference open on Sunday, also called for a strong and independent judiciary.
Fubara urged judges to remain courageous and committed to the truth, regardless of the status or political connections of those appearing before them.
