Judicial Watchers Speculate Amid The Crystal Ball
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF Justice, Monrovia- How Boakai handles his first Liberian Supreme Court nomination, which is considered as one of a president’s most serious constitutional responsibilities could prove crucial to his promises to ensure efficiency within the justice system.
With the death of Associate Justice, Joseph N. Nagbe, judicial watchers have been speculating on a number of top Liberian Lawyers who may likely be picked by the 26th President of Liberia. And one of the names that is floating is the current Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the stat- owned University of Liberia, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu.
But will the new Liberian leader pick Cllr. Barbu, who has a Phd in Law to replace the fallen Justice Joseph N. Nagbe?
In his first State of the Nation Address, President Joseph Boaka lamented over the manner in which justices of the Supreme Court have dispense justice in the country.
“Our justice system which meant to protect the innocent and punished the guilty has been marred by inefficiency, corruption, and lack of public trust,” the president noted.
With the death of late Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe,thepresident is considering several candidates to replace the late Nagbe.
One of such person to be considered by Boakai is Cllr. Dr. JallahA. Barbu, Dean of the Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, according to a source familiar with the vetting process.
Who is Cllr. Barbu?
Counselor Barbu is the Senior Consulting Counsel-Public Interest Law Office (PILO) from 2018-present.
He was admitted as Counselor-At-Law as member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Liberia in 2006.
He is currently serving as the senior fellow of the Center for Constitutional Democracy (CCD) Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, 47405.
2018-present: Executive Director Institute for Constitutional Research, Policy & Strategic Development.
Education
He holds a Doctor of Judicial Science (Constitutional Law) from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana from 2009 to 2012.
2006 to 2008: Master of Laws (Thesis-Constitutional Law) Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana.
1997-2001: Bachelor of Law (LLB-Hons.) Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, Monrovia-Liberia.
1985-1990: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Accounting (Minor in Management) College of Business & Public Administration University of Liberia, Monrovia-Liberia.
Professional Experience
Dr. Barbu has served as the first Vice Chair at the Law Reform Commission of Liberia from 2009-2011.
In 2011, Cllr. Barbu was appointed by President Ellen Johnson-Sireleaf as Chairman of the Law Reform Commission.
Some Major Professionals’ Engagement
Dr. Barbu has provided significant legal advice over the period of more than ten years to the offices of the president and vice president of Liberia to the Liberian Legislature, mainly the Speaker and President Pro-Tempore; and has been selected as amicus curiae by the Honorable Supreme Court in a number of cases.
Dr, Barbu is currently serving as a member of the Review Committee appointed by the Honorable Supreme Court undertaking a review of the Rules of Procedures in court and Code of Moral and Professional Ethics and the Judicial Canons Governing Lawyers and Judges respectively.