By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has expelled with immediate effect Cllr. A. Nbudusi Nwabudike over his Liberian citizenship and controversial membership with the LNBA.
This Nigerian born Lawyer’s nomination as Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC) by President George Weah was withdrawn recently, as the Liberian Senate discovered that he allegedly had questionable Liberian naturalization papers during confirmation hearing.
Nwabuduke, who still holds on to his post as Chairman of Liberia Anti Corruption Commission (LACC), failed to appear before the Grievance and Ethics Committee of the Bar mandated to probe controversies surrounding his nationality status and membership with the LNBA.
Addressing a news conference on Friday June 19, 2020 in Monrovia, LNBA President Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe said Cllr. Nwabudike was invited by the Committee on seven different occasions between April 24 and May 15, 2020, but never showed up, though he had initially agreed to cooperate with the inquiry.
The validity of Nwabudike’s citizenship came to question after President Weah nominated him for the post of Chairman of the National Elections Commission (NEC). This was followed by his woeful failure to convince the senate on his citizenship.
“The doubt raised by the Senate over the citizenship of Cllr. Nwabudike, cast a very dark cloud over the integrity and credibility of the Liberia National Bar Association and the Judiciary in in evaluating applicants for admission into the legal profession. The LNBA felt duty bound to investigate and find out what the truth is relative to Cllr. Nwabudike’s Liberian citizenship.
In view of the defiant posture of Nwabudike, manifested by his failure to honor all of the citations sent to him by the Committee, the LNBA said in the statement the Committee had to rely on independent sources of information “on the validity of Cllr. Nwabudike’s citizenship”.
The Committee wrote the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) on April 3, 2020, which replied that it had no record on Nwabudike’s residency status or naturalization status.
The First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “B” Temple of Justice, also wrote the Committee informing it that it had no record on his residency or naturalization status.
To make matters worse, “ä purported certificate of naturalization presented to the Senate by Cllr. Nwabudike showed that he was issued his naturalization certificate by Criminal Court “B” the Temple of Justice on May 13, 1982, when in fact that court was called the People’s Criminal Court “B” the regime of the People’s Redemption Council, thereby creating more doubt”, the statement said.
A perusal of Nwabudike’s passports also reflects four dates of birth.
Cllr. Nwabudike’s name has also been removed from the roster of the LNBA membership.
Meanwhile, the LNBA says it will shortly inform the President, of Liberia, the Speaker of the House, the Senate Pro Temp and the Chief Justice of his expulsion from the LNBA.