Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to deliver the keynote address at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Falana made his position known in a video published on the NBA’s YouTube channel on Monday, a day after Weah delivered his keynote address at the conference. He urged the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to stop inviting what he described as African dictators to address Nigerian lawyers.
Falana questioned the decision to invite Weah to speak to lawyers about democracy, the judiciary and the rule of law, alleging that his administration between 2018 and 2024 undermined judicial independence in Liberia.
The senior lawyer claimed that the Liberian judiciary was weakened during Weah’s presidency to the extent that some citizens had to seek legal redress at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
He specifically referred to a case involving members of the Mandingo community, who, according to Falana, had their landed properties seized during the Liberian civil war. He said the ECOWAS Court eventually ruled in their favour but alleged that the former Liberian president failed to comply with the judgment.
Falana further alleged that the administration also refused to implement an ECOWAS Court judgment concerning an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia. According to him, the court had ordered the judge’s reinstatement and awarded $200,000 in compensation after setting aside his dismissal.
The human rights lawyer argued that such allegations made Weah an inappropriate choice to address Nigerian lawyers on issues surrounding the rule of law.
“Now, that is the man coming here to talk to us about the rule of law and democracy,” Falana said.
Falana also raised allegations concerning drug trafficking in Liberia during Weah’s administration. He referenced the reported arrest of former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor?
However, the Punch report identifies the person Falana referred to as Weah’s former vice president, Jewel Howard-Taylor, and discusses allegations surrounding drug trafficking. These allegations were presented by Falana and should not be treated as established facts without independent confirmation.
The lawyer also criticised Weah over his conduct during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, alleging that the former Liberian president travelled to support his son, Timothy Weah, who represented the United States at the tournament.
Falana's comments have generated attention because they came shortly after Weah himself delivered a strong message on democracy and the importance of an independent judiciary at the NBA conference.
During his keynote address, Weah warned African leaders against weakening democratic institutions and described governments that manipulate judges or allow corruption to undermine the rule of law as threats to democracy.
Weah told the gathering that democracy could not survive on the strength of individuals alone but depended on strong institutions. He also argued that an independent judiciary and a fearless legal profession were essential to protecting democracy.
The former Liberian president served as head of state from 2018 to 2024 before losing his bid for a second term to Joseph Boakai in Liberia’s 2023 presidential election. The NBA had invited him as the keynote speaker for its 2026 Annual General Conference, which is being held in Port Harcourt under the theme “Beyond Limits.”
The NBA had earlier explained that Weah’s participation was expected to add depth to discussions at the conference because of his experience in both sports and governance. His background as a former world football star and former Liberian president was highlighted by the conference planning committee as part of the reasons for his selection.
The conference has brought together lawyers, judges, politicians, policymakers and other prominent figures to discuss issues affecting Nigeria and the wider African continent. Other speakers include former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and activist Omoyele Sowore, among others.
Falana, however, believes that the NBA should be more selective about the African political leaders it invites to address members of the legal profession. He suggested that leaders with strong democratic credentials would be more appropriate choices for such engagements.
He cited female leaders in Namibia and the late former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as examples of figures he considered worthy of invitations.
The criticism has created an interesting contrast at the NBA conference, where Weah spoke about protecting democracy and judicial independence while Falana simultaneously questioned his record on those same principles.
The controversy is likely to generate further debate among lawyers and political observers over the role of professional bodies in engaging former political leaders, particularly when those leaders have faced criticism over their records in government.
While Weah's speech focused on the need for strong institutions, Falana's intervention placed the spotlight on whether political figures with controversial records should be given prominent platforms to lecture professionals on democracy and the rule of law.
For now, the NBA has proceeded with its conference programme, while Falana's comments have added another layer to discussions surrounding Weah's appearance and the association's choice of keynote speakers.
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