LNBA leadership is in chaos as calls intensify for President Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah’s immediate resignation following his controversial solo statement on the Supreme Court’s April 23, 2025, ruling. Varmah acted without consulting the Liberia National Bar Association’s Executive Council, a move widely criticized as a breach of proper governance and collective leadership. Many members say his statement was partisan and accuse him of using the Bar’s platform to advance political ambitions, possibly to position himself for a Supreme Court Justice nomination-especially as the Chief Justice is set to retire early and Justice Gbeisay is believed to be the likely next Chief Justice pick of President Joseph Boakai.
Senior officers, including the Vice President and Secretary General, have publicly distanced themselves from Varmah’s actions, calling his statement an embarrassment and saying it has brought the institution to its lowest point. Legal experts argue Varmah’s claim that the Supreme Court overstepped its authority is unfounded, stressing that the judiciary has the constitutional power to interpret and enforce the law, even in disputes involving the Legislature. Members are embarrassed over the Bar’s perceived loss of neutrality, and credibility has reached a historic low, with critics warning that the institution’s standing as a guardian of the rule of law is at stake.
Atty. Gbawo Kowo, an ardent supporter of Varmah’s presidential bid, also weighed in: “It is clear that the LNBA President did not consult with the Executive Council before making that statement, and it deeply undermined the independence and credibility of the Bar,” he asserted.
The crisis is less about internal politics and more about the Bar’s credibility and independence. Prominent lawyers, such as Cllr. Moriah Yeakula-Kporpor, have condemned Varmah’s actions as “ridiculous and squarely partisan,” urging him to resign if he cannot separate his political commitments from his duties. Yeakula-Kporpor, who once supported Varmah’s candidacy, expressed disappointment in his failure to rise above politics, stating, “We expect that he would stop pandering to his Political Party, prioritize the sanctity of the position he currently holds as President of the Bar, and uphold the Constitution and respect for the Rule of Law.”
Atty. Armah Zolu Jallah, former Senate Pro Tempore, emphasized that “the separation of powers does not mean one branch is immune from legal scrutiny. The judiciary must intervene where actions violate the Constitution,” reinforcing that constitutional checks and balances must not be eroded under the guise of political independence.
As another lawyer put it, “The Bar cannot afford to be seen as an extension of any political party. If we lose that line, we lose the very foundation of legal independence in Liberia.” The LNBA now faces a defining test of its integrity and its role in upholding the rule of law. “Let Varmah do the honorable thing and resign,” Cllr. Moriah Yeakula-Kporpor and others demand.
