Femi Falana Critiques NBA for Inviting George Weah

Femi Falana, a renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to speak at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Falana alleged that Weah's administration, from 2018 to 2024, compromised judicial independence and ignored court judgments, forcing citizens to seek justice at the ECOWAS Court.

He referenced specific cases, including one involving the Mandingo people of Liberia, who were denied justice regarding property seizures during the civil war, and an associate justice of the Supreme Court who was unjustly dismissed. Falana claimed that Weah failed to enforce ECOWAS Court rulings, including one that awarded the judge $200,000 for wrongful dismissal.

He urged the NBA to invite leaders committed to democratic governance, citing examples such as Namibia's female president and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Falana's remarks were made in a video posted on the NBA’s YouTube channel following Weah's keynote address.