Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association for allowing former Liberian President George Weah to speak at its annual conference, accusing Weah’s administration of eroding judicial independence in Liberia.
The senior counsel made the statements in a video posted on the NBA’s YouTube page on Monday, following Weah’s keynote address at the league’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to be here. But let me say this, because you know I have to be frank with the audience. And this goes for the leadership of the Bar. I want to appeal that the Bar Association must stop—stop inviting dictators in Africa to come and address us,” he said.
He claimed that under Weah’s reign (2018-2024), the judiciary was compromised to the extent where Liberians sought legal remedy outside of the country at the ECOWAS Court.
“Mr. Weah, George Weah, who was here yesterday and was talking about the judiciary: in his country, his regime captured the judiciary to the extent that they had to contact some of us outside the country to get legal redress in the ECOWAS Court,” he said.
Falana brought up the case of the Mandingo people against Liberia, in which people’s lands were reportedly taken during the war.
He claimed that the ECOWAS Court ruled in their favor, but Weah refused to comply with the decision.
“The ECOWAS Court gave them judgment. George Weah refused to comply with the judgment. The new government of Boakai has just set up a committee for the enforcement of that judgment,” he said.
Falana further cited the case of an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia who, he alleged, was dismissed without basis.
“Again, we went to the ECOWAS Court. The ECOWAS Court set aside his dismissal and awarded him $200,000. He was ordered to be reinstated. Mr. George Weah refused to comply with the judgment,” he said.
He questioned the choice to invite Weah to speak to attorneys about democracy and the rule of law, notwithstanding the charges.
“Now, that is the man coming here to talk to us about the rule of law and democracy,” Falana said.
Falana also accused Weah’s administration of allowing drug trafficking to flourish in Liberia, although he did not provide details of the allegation.
The senior lawyer added, “He ruled Liberia between 2018 and 2024. During his time, drug barons took over the country. Just on the 19th of August, his vice president, Madam Edith, was arrested… on the 19th of August. She’s currently standing trial for drug trafficking to the tune of $370 million in that poor country.
“So when you now have such a character… You know, during the last World Cup in Qatar, his son, Timothee, was playing for the United States of America, not for Liberia.
“This man left his country for nine days and took the money of that country to go and cheer his son in Qatar. So please, next time you want to invite African leaders, there are some of them that require an invitation.”
Falana recognized Namibia’s female president, vice president, and speaker, as well as Nigeria’s late former premier of Western Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo, as deserving of an invitation.
Meanwhile, Weah, who delivered the conference’s keynote address, asked attorneys and judges to maintain impartiality in the execution of justice.
He stated that an independent court, supported by a fearless legal profession, was required in every country.
Weah also stated that democracy was put to the test on a daily basis and could not be sustained by “strong men” but only by strong institutions.
The former Liberian president condemned administrations that pretend to be democratic but are corrupt and cooperate with judges to undermine the rule of law and control society as a serious threat to democracy.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who opened the conference on Sunday, also advocated for an independent and fearless judiciary, stating that judges must uphold the truth regardless of status or social connection.
The 66th NBA Annual General Conference was held in Port Harcourt, with the theme “Beyond Limits.”
