Liberian News: LNBA Boss Clarifies Comments Against S/Court Bench

By Jamesetta D Williams

Monrovia-Cllr. Bornor Varmah, the newly elected President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has called the Bar Association to issue a call that will reverberate through the halls of Liberia’s legal and political circles.

He said his plea was directed at the highest echelons of the judiciary, urging the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court to reject their 2025 budget allocation.

The LNBA boss’ request was not made in isolation. It was in direct response to a highly controversial event that had unfolded just days before the absence of the entire Supreme Court bench during President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s State of the Nation Address.

President Varmah’s said with the absence of the justices from such a key national event was an unprecedented move that had drawn considerable attention and speculation.

He said it was a protest, a legal stand, or simply an oversight. “No one could say for certain.” Cllr. Varmah had no doubt in his mind that it was a sign of deepening political and legal tensions in the country. For him, it symbolizes a breakdown in the relationship between the Judiciary and the Legislature, one that demands immediate attention.

Cllr. Varmah clearly stated that his decision to address issue publicly was not just a response to a symbolic absence but also a strong condemnation of the process through which the 2025 budget was passed.

According to Cllr. Varmah, they have been accusing Speaker Richard Koon of acting unlawfully in approving the budget, calling the process illegal and undermining the constitutional integrity of the government. By linking the budget allocation to the perceived illegality of Koon’s actions.

Cllr. Varmah crafted an argument that blended legal principles with political resistance, demanding the country’s judiciary not only reject an illegal budget but also take a stand for the rule of law.

His words struck a nerve with both the political establishment and the citizens of Liberia, with many questioning whether the separation of powers was being respected and upheld in the country. Varmah’s calls for the judiciary to remain impartial and free from political influence resonated with those who feared that the delicate balance of power could be tipped if such action went unchallenged.

For the Chief Justice and Associate Justices, Varmah’s statement was a serious challenge. They were faced with a decision that would not only shape the future of their relationship with the Legislature but also send a message to the public about the integrity of the judicial system. Would they bow to political pressure, or would they follow Varmah’s call to uphold the highest standards of justice?

The atmosphere in Liberia was charged with anticipation as discussions unfolded across legal forums, news outlets, and social media. Some hailed Varmah as a champion of constitutionalism, someone who was willing to speak truth to power, while others viewed his comments as an unnecessary escalation of a political issue.

The truth, however, was clear: Varmah’s words had sparked a debate about the very foundation of governance in Liberia, a debate that would likely shape the nation’s political and legal future for years to come.

As the days passed, it became apparent that Varmah had struck a chord. His call for judicial independence and the rejection of the budget allocation put the issue of legality and legitimacy front and center in Liberia’s political discourse.

While the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court remained silent, the country waited with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that would restore faith in its institutions and ensure that the rule of law prevailed.

Cllr. Bornor Varmah’s bold statement had ignited a firestorm of controversy, but it also opened the door to much-needed dialogue about the need for transparency, accountability, and the unwavering commitment to justice in Liberia’s democratic institutions.

Whether his call would be heeded or not, one thing was certain: it had sparked a crucial conversation that Liberia could not afford to ignore.