Free at Last

By: R. Joyclyn Wea

MONROVIA-At long last, embattled Cllr. Ndubusi Nwabudike has been given Liberian Citizenship, after years of battling his questionable credentials before the Liberian Senate.

Cllr. Nwabudike after meeting all of the requirements, Criminal Court “B” on February 14, 2023, declared him a full-fledged citizen of the Republic of Liberia with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto restored.

President George Weah appointed Nwabudike to Chair three key Government Portfolios – the Governance Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Elections Commission, as well as the Special Presidential Review Committee that was established to probe the Global Witness Report on the National Oil Company of Liberia.

But, Weah withdrew his appointment as Electoral Commission Chief immediately after the Liberian Senate discovered the lawyer had questionable naturalization papers.

Nwabudike told Senators that he had been naturalized in 1982 – at age 17, which is in violation of Section 21.3 of the country’s Aliens and Nationality Law.

Section 21.3 of the law says, “No person can file a petition for naturalization before the age of 21”.

This decision by the Liberia National Bar Association, LNBA was nullified by the Supreme Court ordering the Ministry of Justice to take seize the matter and investigate whether Cllr. Nwabudike is a citizen or not.

The Criminal Court “B” on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, did administer the oath of allegiance to Cllr. Ndubusi Nwabudike, pledging his allegiance to the Republic of Liberia.

This followed Thursday, January 26, 2023 hearing and determination in which Nwabudike was ordered to fulfill all financial requirements in keeping with the revenue and financial law of the Republic of Liberia amplified by the inter-agency regulation before the honorable court can administer the oath of allegiance to him.

The court notes that the petitioner has met all the requirements for the administration of the oath of allegiance is the payment of the six hundred United States dollars in fulfillment thereof.

“Cllr. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, you have taken the oath of allegiance of the republic wherein you have relinquished all allegiance of the republic from whence your father comes, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You are under oath that you will bear arms for our republic when required by law to do so. You are also under oath that you will uphold the laws and constitution of Liberia. The court furthered, “The oath that you have taken entitles you to all the rights and privileges enjoyed by all Liberians.”