Weah invitation: Falana slams NBA, questions democracy record

Former Liberian President George Weah sparked controversy when the Nigerian Bar Association invited him to speak at their 66th Annual General Conference. Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, criticized the NBA for inviting Weah, questioning his democratic record and his actions during his tenure. Falana urged the NBA to stop inviting dictators from African countries to speak at their conferences, particularly focusing on Weah's perceived undermining of the judiciary and the rule of law.

Weah warned during his keynote address that democratically elected leaders could gradually become dictators by weakening the judiciary and legislature. He stressed the importance of strong institutions, including an independent judiciary and a fearless Bar, in preserving democratic governance. Falana highlighted cases where Weah allegedly captured the Liberian judiciary, preventing citizens from seeking justice within the country.

He cited the case of the Mandingo people whose land properties were seized during Liberia's civil war and questioned Weah's refusal to enforce a judgment from the ECOWAS Court in their favor. Falana also mentioned a dismissed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, who was reinstated and awarded $200,000 by the ECOWAS Court after Weah initially refused to comply with the judgment.

The lawyer alleged that drug barons gained influence during Weah's administration and questioned his participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where his son represented the United States instead of Liberia. Falana urged the NBA to scrutinize political leaders' records before inviting them to address lawyers on matters concerning democracy, judicial independence, and the rule of law.