Will LNBA Yield To Ruling in former LACC boss Citizenship?
PHOTO: Cllr. Ndubusi Nwabudike, former LACC bossBy Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE Of JUSTICE, Monrovia-After nearly four years of legal battle on his citizenship and explosion from the Liberian National Bar Association, the Supreme Court of Liberia has restored the right of former Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) boss, Ndubusi Nwabudike to practice law in the Republic of Liberia but will the LNBA yield to their ruling?
The LNBA is a an umbrella organization governing the conduct of lawyers in Liberia and they are also responsible to License lawyers.
The LNBA suspended Nwabudike in 2020 after he lied on his citizenship during Senate confirmation hearing when he was appointed at National Elections Commission head.
The LNBA investigated its member Nwabudike citizenship and then found him guilty of lying under oath after he failed to prove his citizenship.
The Supreme Court of Liberia have lifted the suspension imposed on former LACC Commission chief Ndubuisi Nwabudike, permitting him to practice before any courts of the republic as a counsellor at law.
The high court in a judgement said the Cllr Nwabudike status as a Counsellor-at-Law and as a legal practitioner in all courts of the Republic of Liberia is restored.
It can be recalled on the 21 ,2021 of August the Supreme Court nullified the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) Suspension of former Chairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Cllr. A. Ndubudsi Nwabudike and ordered the Ministry of Justice to take seize of the matter and investigate as to whether Cllr. Nwabudike is a citizen or not and said investigation was done by the Justice Minister who is responsible to investigate the citizenship of an individual.
The court added that the petitioner (Nwabudike) had been in compliance with the said Mandate; and now praying the Court to reinstate him to the practice of law;
The Supreme Court said it enbanc convened and reviewed the Petitioner’s Petition for reinstatement to the practice of law in this jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court through it Chief justice and Associate justices added that it has being satisfied that the period for which the former LACC boss Ndubuisi Nwabudike, was suspended from the practice of law having expired.
He has however obtained an OATH OF ALLEGIENCE consistent with law on the 9th day of February 2023.
The proceedings required to be commenced by the Attorney General/Minister of Justice as provided by the Alien and Nationality Law of Liberia,” the court document stressed.
However, with the Ministry of Justice taking seize of the investigation, and Nwabudike synergy with the current government, many in the public believe he might walk as a free man.
But the Supreme Court on the other hand said, while the LNBA decision has been nullified, it would be also wrong for Nwabudike to continue practicing law, when quite clearly the documents he filed which necessitated his admission to the practice of law in Liberia are wrapped in inconsistencies and discrepancies to which he failed to specifically address himself before the Grievance and Ethics Committee.
As a result, it has ordered the Attorney General to take seize of the matter and if deem necessary, institute proceeding to revoke and set aside the order admitting the Nwabudike to Liberian Citizenship and cancel his certificate of naturalization.
Meanwhile, the LNBA is yet to comment on the Supreme Court ruling since they have the authority to license lawyers before practicing law.