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Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to address its annual conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Falana questioned the decision to give Weah a platform at the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference, arguing that the association should be cautious about inviting political leaders whose administrations have been accused of weakening democratic institutions.

Weah delivered the keynote address at the conference on Sunday, where he spoke about democracy, judicial independence and the rule of law.

However, Falana subsequently criticised the invitation in a video published on the NBA’s YouTube channel.

The senior lawyer alleged that Weah’s administration, which governed Liberia from 2018 to 2024, undermined judicial independence and failed to respect some judgments of the ECOWAS Court.

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Falana urged the NBA leadership to reconsider its approach to selecting prominent political figures for its conferences, particularly when the speakers’ records are subjects of controversy.

He argued that a professional body committed to constitutionalism and the rule of law should carefully examine the records of individuals invited to address its members.

Falana also referred to legal disputes involving the Liberian judiciary and alleged that Weah’s government failed to adequately enforce certain judicial decisions.

His criticism came shortly after Weah used his keynote speech to encourage lawyers and judges to defend judicial independence and remain committed to impartial justice.

The former Liberian president argued that democracy depended on strong institutions rather than individual leaders and warned against governments that manipulate institutions for political advantage.

Falana, however, maintained that the NBA should invite African leaders who have demonstrated stronger commitments to democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.

The controversy has placed the choice of keynote speakers at professional conferences under renewed scrutiny, particularly when the speakers are former political leaders with contested records.

The NBA conference brought together lawyers, judges, political leaders and other stakeholders to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s legal system, democracy and governance.

While Weah’s appearance provided an opportunity for discussions on democratic institutions, Falana’s intervention has raised questions about whether professional associations should separate the value of a speaker’s message from their record in public office.

The disagreement also highlights continuing debates across Africa over judicial independence, accountability and the responsibilities of professional institutions in promoting democratic values.