LNBA Gets New Leadership -as President-elect Cllr. Varmah Vows to collaboratively enhance rule of law and access to justice By: Yassah J Wright

The Liberian National Bar Association has elected new corps of officials to stair the affairs of the body for the next three years with its National Secretary General, Cllr. Bonor M. Varmah overwhelmingly emerging as the new President at the 2024 National Convention in Ganta City, Nimba County. Lawyers of the Bar elected the new official on Saturday, November 30, 2024 following a peaceful and non-violent election at the Peace Empire Guest House, Wuo-Garbe Tarppia Intellectual Hall. The LNBA National Convention which brought the new officials onboard started November 28-December 1, 2024 and was graced by international and local partners as well as legal luminary from across the country. The convention which was supported and funded by the United States Government, UNDP, Arish Aid among others, reaffirmed the LNBA supports toward the standardization of alternative dispute resolution in Liberia and the provision of pro-bono legal aid service by lawyers. Meanwhile, following the conclusion of the voting process, tallying and subsequent release of the election pools result, the LNBA National Election Committee said that the cumulative votes obtained per presidential candidate included, Cllr. Preston Chea Doe, 23 votes, Cllr. Wiefueh A. Sayeh, 115 votes and Cllr. Bonor M.Varmah, 309. The total number of valid votes was 447, total number of invalid votes two and total of valid and invalid votes 447. For the vice presidential candidate, Cllr. Evelyn Lah-Gongloe, obtained 108 votes, Cllr. Juah F. Lawson 191, Cllr. Bobby F. W. Livingstone 90, Cllr. Swalliho A. Sesay 38, Cllr. Dr. Mohammed S. Sheriff 20. The total valid votes cast 447, invalid votes one and total valid and invalid votes 448. Also, for the secretary General position, Cllr. Elijah T. Forkeyah obtained 228 votes while Cllr. Fredrick M. Gbemie accumulated 220 votes. This position had one invalid votes, and 449 invalid and valid votes. Concluding the night, the National Treasurer included candidate Atty. Yaney K. Horton 174 votes, while Atty. Yemi Shobayo-Williams obtained 269 votes with the total votes cast of 443, six invalid votes and total valid and invalid votes of 449. Speaking in an interview with journalists following the release of the results, LNBA President-elect, Cllr.Bonor M. Varmah, expressed appreciation and gratitude to his colleague for electing him, while committing to ensure collaboration with national government and international and local organization to ensure that rule of law and access to justice is enhance in the country.   ‘’ well, I think it’s a victory for the Liberian National Bar Association, the rule of law sector and victory for democracy because the LNBA normaly says its national government in nature and so, what has being demonstrated here without any chaos, protest and confusion, it is something that is enviable. We are going to work to improve the system at the LNBA. We are going to work with the Supreme Court, Executive and National Legislature to ensure rule of law is enhancing in the country’’ he noted. Commenting on his victory, he lamented that he is not surprise because his activities and working in the Bar and the legal community has been followed by lawyers and so, they have decided to vote him because he is one of the best brain knowing his role as National Secretary General. ‘’The LNBA remains the common denominator for all of us. There is nothing like team after the election because all focus on the LNBA. Therefore, we will work together to ensure that the Bar moves forward because our role remain critical for the rule of law. Our priority is the concern of the lawyers and the Liberian people’’ he concluded.