Two lawyers Benedetti Sannoh, and A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, are likely to be barred from practice of law for the rest of the year.
The duo has reportedly failed to pay for their respective law licenses, and several other fees, which summed up to US$360, according to the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) records.
The LNBA confirmation was made in response to the International Law Group, the law firm that is representing the complainant, and British national, Hans Armstrong, who sought the US$430,920.
The law firm requested the LNBA Secretariat to attest, as to whether, or not, Cllrs. Sannoh and Nwabudike, have paid for their license.
In LNBA’s reply, dated October 3, 2025, and addressed to Counselor Amara Sheriff reads: “We, herewith acknowledge your request to the Secretariat to attest as to whether or not, Counsellors Benedict Sannoh, and A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, are licensed lawyers. We, accordingly, have delved into the archives of the LNBA, but found Counsellors Benedict Sannoh, and A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, are not in ‘Good Standing’ with the LNBA. As such, the pair are not licensed lawyers for 2025.”
The two are lawyers representing Activa international insurance company, at risk of an imminent shutdown, and possible arrest for many of its managers, if it doesn’t raise US$430,920 in keeping with the judgement of the Debt Court for Montserrado County.
The duo got themselves in trouble when they challenged the authority of the court to enforce its July 14, 2025 judgement against Activa.
Though, Activa is not a party to a equipment rental agreement between Citadel Mining Services, a Ghanaian subcontracted company by Western Cluster to operate on its mining concession premises in Bomi County, and Hans Armstrong, a British national.
However, Activa became a party, after posting an indemnity bond in the amount of US$750,000 in favor of Citadel Mining, and was approved by Judge James Jones.
After approving the bond, Judge Jones removed the stay placed on all of the equipment of Citadel Mining, but when the judgment was delivered on July 14, 2025, the Sheriff’s return showed that Citadel Mining’s head office in Monrovia, and operation site in Bomi County, had been closed. Adding: “Without knowing the whereabouts of the management to satisfy the judgment against it.”
It was based on the sheriff report that Armstrong’s lawyers filed with the court, a bill of information to ensure that Activa should be held liable to pay the judgment amount, which decision the court granted.
This is the case Sannoh and Nwabudike are legally defending, when the LNBA records revealed that they were not licensed lawyers for 2025.
Despite the LNBA confirmation, analysts said, it remains to be seen whether Judge James Jones would disqualify Sannoh and Nwabudike from further participation in the case which, if it happens, could be a serious setback for Activa.
The payment of the license fees is sanctioned by the Supreme Court, as a prerequisite for lawyers to practice law throughout the country. If Jones accepts LNBA’s reply, it is a clear indication that he would discard all of the pleadings filed to his court in favor of Activa.
Cllr. Sannoh is a professor of law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law; former Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Sannoh owns the Sannoh and Partners Law Firm.
Nwabudike is a senior of the Sannoh and Partners, and a former chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
His nomination by former President George Weah to head the National Elections Commission (NEC) created a serious embarrassment for him, particularly when the LNBA challenged his citizenship.
Mr. Weah was compelled to withdraw his nomination.
The General Rule applicable in all courts of Liberia, specifically Rule #5 entitled: “Lawyers to be licensed to Practice Deadline.”
It states: “The deadline for lawyers and law firms to obtain licenses to practice law, and to operate law firm is the 2nd Monday in March of each year.
After this date, no lawyer, who has not obtained his/her annual license, for the year shall be permitted to practice before any court, or before any administrative tribunal, or any agency of government directly or indirectly nor will a lawyer, who has not paid his/her annual dues of the LNBA up to the 2nd Monday in March of each year be permitted to practice before any court in the country.”