op Inviting African Dictators, Falana Criticises NBA Over George

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for inviting former Liberian President, George Weah to speak at its annual conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Falana accused Weah’s administration of undermining judicial independence and failing to respect judgments of the ECOWAS Court during his tenure as Liberian president.

He made the remarks in a video posted on the NBA’s YouTube channel a day after Weah delivered the keynote address at the NBA’s 66th annual general conference.

Falana, who said he wanted to be “frank” with the audience, urged the leadership of the NBA to stop inviting what he described as African dictators to address Nigerian lawyers.

“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 alleged that the judiciary was weakened during Weah’s 2018–2024 administration, forcing some Liberians to seek legal redress at the ECOWAS Court.

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Falana specifically referred to the case involving the Mandingo people, who he said had their landed properties seized during the Liberian civil war.

According to him, although the ECOWAS Court ruled in their favour, Weah’s administration failed to implement the judgment.

“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,” Falana said.

He also cited the case of a former associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia who, according to Falana, was removed from office without justification.

He said the ECOWAS Court subsequently overturned the dismissal, ordered the judge’s reinstatement and awarded him $200,000, but alleged that Weah’s government again failed to comply.

“Now, that is the man coming here to talk to us about the rule of law and democracy,” Falana said.

He further accused the former Liberian administration of allowing drug trafficking to thrive in the country.

He alleged that Weah’s former vice president, whom he referred to as Madam Edith, was arrested on August 19 and is facing trial over alleged drug trafficking involving $370 million.

Falana also criticised Weah over his decision to travel to Qatar during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to watch his son, Timothy Weah, who represented the United States.

He alleged that Weah spent nine days away from Liberia and used public funds during the trip, although the claim was not independently established in the report.

Falana questioned why Weah was invited to speak to Nigerian lawyers about democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law given the allegations he raised.

He, however, said there were other African leaders who deserved invitations, citing Namibia’s female leadership and the late former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as examples.

Weah, who spoke at the conference before Falana’s criticism, had urged lawyers and judges to remain impartial in the administration of justice.

The former Liberian president said an independent judiciary, backed by a fearless legal profession, was essential to protecting democracy.

He warned that democracy could not survive on “strong men” but depended on strong institutions.

Weah also criticised governments that claim to be democratic while engaging in corruption, colluding with judges and manipulating the justice system.