Nigerian human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has publicly criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for inviting former Liberian President George Weah as a keynote speaker at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, Falana urged the leadership of the association to refrain from inviting African leaders with records of undermining democratic norms to address legal professionals. He argued that the NBA should instead invite figures who have demonstrated a strong commitment to good governance and institutional integrity.

Key Criticisms and Allegations

• Judicial Compromise: Falana alleged that during Weah's presidency from 2018 to 2024, the Liberian judiciary was severely compromised, forcing citizens to seek legal redress through the ECOWAS Court.

• Non-Compliance with Court Rulings: He cited specific cases where the ECOWAS Court ruled against the Liberian government—including a property dispute involving the Mandingo community and the wrongful dismissal of a Supreme Court justice—stating that Weah's administration refused to enforce the judgments.

• Governance and Security Concerns: Falana also raised concerns regarding governance failures during Weah's tenure, including allegations related to narcotics control and public resource management.

Counter-Perspectives at the Conference

During his keynote address, George Weah emphasized the importance of an independent judiciary and a fearless legal profession. He stated that democracies are sustained by strong institutions rather than strong individuals, and warned that administrations that weaken the rule of law pose a threat to democratic stability.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who declared the conference open, echoed these sentiments, calling on judges to maintain courage and impartiality regardless of the status or affiliations of litigants.