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 deliver the keynote address at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Falana questioned the decision to give Weah a platform to speak to Nigerian lawyers about democracy and the rule of law, alleging that his administration undermined judicial independence during his tenure between 2018 and 2024.
The senior lawyer made the remarks on Monday, a day after Weah addressed the opening ceremony of the conference.
Falana urged the NBA to reconsider inviting African leaders whom he described as dictators to speak at its conferences.
He alleged that Weah’s government compromised Liberia’s judiciary to the extent that some citizens had to seek legal redress through the ECOWAS Court.
According to Falana, one such case involved the Mandingo people of Liberia, whose landed properties were allegedly confiscated during the country’s civil war.
He said although the ECOWAS Court ruled in favour of the affected people, Weah’s administration failed to enforce the judgment.
Falana also cited the case of a former associate justice of Liberia’s Supreme Court, who he claimed was removed from office without justification.
He said the ECOWAS Court subsequently set aside the dismissal, awarded the judge $200,000 and ordered his reinstatement, but alleged that Weah’s government failed to comply with the ruling.
“Now, that is the man coming here to talk to us about the rule of law and democracy,” Falana said.
The SAN further accused the former administration of failing to adequately tackle drug trafficking in Liberia, citing allegations involving senior officials of the government.
Falana therefore called on the NBA to consider inviting African leaders whom he believes have demonstrated stronger commitments to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Weah, in his keynote address, urged lawyers to remain impartial and fearless in the administration of justice.
The former Liberian president stressed the importance of an independent judiciary and a strong legal profession in sustaining democratic governance.
He said democracy could not be preserved by “strong men” but by strong institutions, warning that governments that claim to be democratic while engaging in corruption, compromising judges and weakening 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 truth, irrespective of the social status or political affiliations of those appearing before them.
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